IN a match it needed to win, Akari sustained its charge and sent Petro Gazz packing.
The Chargers carved out a 32-30, 25-22, 25-19 victory over the Angeles last night in the knockout round and advance to the quarterfinals of the PVL On Tour at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Akari reached the Last Eight of the pre-season tournament thanks to outside spiker Ivy Lacsina who fired 16 points built on 12 attacks, three blocks and one service ace along with six excellent receptions while setter Bea Bonafe tossed 14 excellent sets.
Opposite hitter Eli Soyud and open spiker Grethcel Soltones also shone for the Chargers with 15 and 13 markers, respectively, with both tallying six digs apiece, to oust Petro Gazz, the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference champion.
With the victory, Akari will battle Cignal in the quarterfinals on Thursday at the same venue.
“Actually, inside ng game there’s a challenge na between nga doon sa mga injured players namin. But I’m very happy doon sa naging outcome, of course. Ginamit din namin kasi iyong break for them to recover and then to make another adjustments,” Chargers coach Tina Salak said. “Ang dami naming adjustments na ginawa. Sobrang dami adjustments but iyon nga, ang sarap lang ng pakiramdam na ganito iyong naging outcome.
“So, nag-expect kami, mayroon naman kaming expectations pero hindi ganitong sweep. I mean, we saw na five set sana, iyong mga ganyan but thankful din ako kay Petro Gazz kasi through Petro Gazz nakita natin iyong potential ni Bea how to handle the team, ‘di ba? How to run the plays and iyon din iyong pinaka-isa sa mga, bukod sa panalo, as a coach iyon iyong gusto ko makita sa kanya. So, parang double whammy win sa amin,” she added.
Veteran Myla Pablo paced Petro Gazz with 15 points and eight excellent receptions while Nicole Tiamzon added 12 markers.
