BY ABBY TORALBA
WITH Dindin Santiago-Manabat showing the way, Akari snapped its losing slump with a 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19 victory over Army Black Mamba yesterday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Santiago-Manabat powered the Chargers with 23 points, 20 off attacks, two kill blocks and one service ace.
Chiara Permentilla contributed an all-around performance for Akari with 13 markers, 10 excellent receptions and eight digs, while Ezra Madrigal fired 10 hits.
The Chargers lost their first three outings that included a 23-25, 20-25, 14-25 defeat to Cignal last Tuesday.
“Congrats to my players (for) their first win,” Akari coach Jorge Souza de Brito said. “We keep on trying every single day, during the training, producing better results and I’m happy for them and really grateful because we performed well.
“We’re struggling in the beginning because (Army) guys are really stronger than us and they played better but we always try our best,” he added.
With the triumph, the Chargers improved to 1-3 in the import-less tilt, while the Lady Troopers remained winless with a 0-3 slate.
Royse Tubino tallied 20 points and 13 excellent receptions for Army, while Jeanette Villareal added 12 markers.
