Akari’s incredible ascent in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference continued as it edged out PLDT in a heart-stopping 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 victory, moving within one win of completing a Cinderella-like run to the championship via sweep.
Playing before a roaring, sellout crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Saturday, Oly Okaro outdueled counterpart Samoilenko, unloading a career-high 39 points, while the local Chargers, led by Ivy Lacsina and Gretchel Soltones, outplayed and outhustled the High Speed Hitters at crunch time, securing not just their 10th straight victory, but more importantly, their first-ever appearance in a PVL championship.
At presstime, the second-seeded Cignal HD Spikers and the No. 3 Creamline Cool Smashers were still battling for the other championship berth.
The one-game championship will be held at the Araneta Coliseum starting at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Monday).
The Chargers seemed to benefit from a lull late in the match following a controversial net touch challenge by the High Speed Hitters. The challenge, which dragged on for quite some time, effectively disrupted PLDT’s momentum just as the High Speed Hitters had moved to match point, 14-13, on an Erika Santos through-the-block hit.
During the ensuing tense rally, PLDT halted play, calling for a net violation against one of the Akari players. However, the first referee denied the claim, ruling it a non-violation since it did not interfere with the play (FIVB Rule 11.3.2), allowing the Chargers to extend the highly-emotional match.
When play resumed, PLDT momentarily regained control with Fiola Ceballos scoring off Kamille Cal’s block. But Soltones, showing her signature clutch play, stepped up with an off-the-block hit to tie the score once more, then delivered a powerful kill to push Akari to match point.
PLDT set up a final counter for Samoilenko, but her backrow attack slammed into the net, igniting wild celebrations among the ecstatic Chargers and their supporters. The High Speed Hitters, on the other hand, were left to grapple with another failed bid after three attempts at the finals.
“So many emotions right now,” a teary-eyed Okaro said as she tried to process the mind-draining two-hour, and 45-minute victory, where she and Lacsina emerged as the game’s best players.
Okaro, with her sights set on leading the team to greater heights, drew the needed support in the clutch from Lacsina and Soltones, who finished with 19 and 16 points respectively. Soltones added 12 excellent digs to spike another superb all-around performance.
“It’s unreal. I’m feeling so many things right now,” added Okaro, reflecting on the intensity of the match.
Looking ahead to the finals, Okaro remained focused: “We’re going to keep preparing and training tomorrow (Sunday). We’re ready, we’re hot, we’ve got the energy, so let’s see what happens.”
Lacsina, for her part, emphasized the team’s collective effort: “We really needed to give our best.”
Reflecting on her first finals journey after moving from Nxled during the break, Lacsina added in Filipino, “It’s been so tough, especially being new to the team and everything that has happened in the past few weeks. This wasn’t easy.”
Okaro was relentless, crashing through PLDT’s defenses with stinging blasts from the back row and powerful hits from the wings. Lacsina and Soltones provided crucial support with scintillating performances in the key moments, while the rest of the team showcased the kind of floor and net defense that wins championships.
With his entire bench responding to every challenge, coach Taka Minowa was able to confidently shuffle his lineup, especially in the last two sets. The Chargers demonstrated not just their resilience but also their fighting spirit, rallying from 1-2 set down with a strong finishing kick in the fourth and in Set 5, which PLDT controlled, 12-9.
This victory has placed Akari in uncharted territory – a spot in the finals – further exceeding expectations for a team that had only managed a couple of seventh-place finishes in the last two All-Filipino conferences organized by Sports Vision.
Despite their incredible run, Okaro remains focused on the ultimate goal.
“We have been preparing so much for a game like this. We knew we could do it. We stayed together as a team. Just knowing that all our hard work has been paying off– it showed in this game today,” said Okaro as she gathered herself.
While Okaro once again played a pivotal role, the Chargers’ victory was a collective effort. Soltones’ power hits and digs, coupled with her leadership, and Lacsina’s timely spikes proved crucial during key stretches of the last two sets.
Ced Domingo added four markers before leaving the match in tears with Akari behind, 8-10, in the fifth set after suffering an injury.
Cal elevated her playmaking to another level, finishing with 18 excellent sets.
Samoilenko finished with 30 points, while Santos and Ceballos backed her up with 15 and 14 points, respectively. But the High Speed Hitters virtually lost it to the breaks of the game although they wavered after seizing a 12-9 upper hand in the fifth, allowing the Chargers to pull within, 11-12.
The Chargers now stand on the brink of a historic achievement, with their confidence and energy at an all-time high as they prepare for the final showdown.
Games tomorrow (Monday)
(Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – PLDT vs Cignal/Creamline (for bronze)
6 p.m. – Akari vs Cignal/Creamline (for gold)
