MANILA – Akari Power Chargers stretched their unbeaten start in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference after a 15-25, 25-17, 25-19, and 25-22 victory over Cignal HD Spikers on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
American import Oly Okaro spearheaded the offense with 24 points as the Power Chargers recorded their best start in franchise history with a 5-0 win-loss slate in Pool B.
Ivy Lacsina and Celine Domingo contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively. Grethcel Soltones also had an all-around performance with eight points, 19 receptions, and 11 digs for Akari.
Kamille Cal also made her presence felt as the starting playmaker with 14 excellent sets to go with eight points, including three blocks, while liberos Dani Ravena and Max Juangco had nine digs and nine receptions, respectively.
After a lopsided defeat in the opening set, the Power Chargers responded with strong performances in the second and third sets to take a 2-1 set advantage.
Akari continued their momentum in the fourth set as they surged to a 16-7 lead, but Cignal made their last push to cut the deficit to 22-24 before Okaro hammered a down-the-line hit to seal the win.
“Actually, it was a slow start. Every time we lose the first set, then we rise. That’s what we need to work on differently, because if we keep on doing that, we just make it high-intensity when we can win 3-0. It’s just extra minutes for us,” said Akari head coach Taka Minowa.
MJ Perez was the lone HD Spiker in double digits with 24 points, along with 11 receptions and nine digs, while Marivic Meneses and Frances Molina added nine and eight points, respectively. They dropped to 4-1.
Meanwhile, Myla Pablo made her way back to Petro Gazz Angels’ rotation as they cruised to a decisive 25-18, 25-21, 25-18 victory over Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Pablo, who was benched by Angels head coach Koji Tsuzurabara in their previous games this conference, tallied 11 points as Petro Gazz halted a three-game losing skid to improve to a 2-3 win-loss slate./PN
