MANILA – Negrense Christine Joy Soyud delivered a clutch attack before setter Mars Alba came up with a match-winning block as Akari Power Chargers survived a dramatic fifth-set comeback by Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-14, to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Power Chargers squandered three match points in the deciding set but recovered just in time to secure their third victory in six outings, tying the Flying Titans at 3-3 in the standings.
Akari appeared poised for a comfortable finish after Ivy Lacsina’s attack gave the Chargers a commanding 14-11 advantage in the fifth set.
However, Kat Tolentino sparked a furious Choco Mucho rally, helping the Flying Titans erase the three-point deficit and force a 14-all deadlock after saving three consecutive match points.
With momentum threatening to swing completely in Choco Mucho’s favor, Soyud rose to the occasion, hammering an attack off the blockers to restore Akari’s lead, 15-14.
Alba then delivered the decisive blow, rejecting Sisi Rondina-Rosales at the net to seal the hard-fought victory after two hours and 19 minutes.
Soyud and Lacsina spearheaded Akari’s offense with 17 points apiece, while Fifi Sharma contributed eight markers and Celine Domingo added seven. Grethcel Soltones and Faith Nisperos chipped in six points each.
Eya Laure led Choco Mucho with 16 points, while Tolentino finished with 15. Rondina-Rosales, Maddie Madayag and Jewel Encarnacion contributed eight points apiece.
The victory provided a crucial boost to Akari’s semifinal campaign while dealing a setback to Choco Mucho’s own bid for a spot in the next round.
Meanwhile, Nxled Chameleons strengthened their grip on a potential semifinal berth after extending their unbeaten streak to five matches with a commanding 25-12, 25-20, 25-18 sweep of Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers.
Setter Gel Cayuna orchestrated Nxled’s offense with 16 excellent sets and three points, earning Player of the Game honors.
Brooke Van Sickle powered the Chameleons with 13 points, while MJ Phillips contributed nine as Nxled maintained its perfect 5-0 record in the tournament./PN
