Akari Battles Past Galeries Tower in Five-Set Thriller to Open PVL Quarterfinals
MANILA, Philippines—Akari endured a tense battle before outlasting Galeries Tower in a five-set showdown, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-11, on Saturday night in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals. Ivy Lacsina delivered the finishing blow at match point, securing the win after a relentless exchange of attacks from both sides. She led the Chargers with 28 points, steering them to victory in the opener of their best-of-three series. Eli Soyud provided 19 points, with 18 coming from attacks, most of which proved crucial in the final two sets, where Akari mounted a comeback after falling behind. “Our week of preparation paid off. It was the endgame adjustment that helped us nail this win,” Soyud said in Filipino. Galeries Tower Stuns Early, Akari Fights Back Despite being the underdogs, the Highrisers made an early statement by taking the first set, capitalizing on a service error from Michelle Cobb to clinch the frame. Akari quickly regrouped in the second set, racing to a 20-11 lead thanks to Lacsina’s powerful attacks. However, Galeries Tower refused to go down easily, cutting the deficit to four points after Elize Ronquillo’s smashes and a deflection from Julia Coronel. Fifi Sharma ended the Highrisers’ rally with a quick middle attack, followed by a crucial point from Soyud. The Chargers sealed the set after Lacsina’s kill block on Ysa Jimenez. Galeries Tower, however, regained the upper hand in the third set, with Jewel Encarnacion and Roselle Baliton leading the charge. Encarnacion’s back-to-back attacks broke the tie at 19, while Baliton fortified their defense with two key blocks, allowing them to reclaim the lead. Chargers Force Decider, Dominate Final Set Determined to extend the match, Akari tightened its defense and capitalized on Soyud’s clutch plays, along with Lacsina and Sharma’s dominance at the net. Sharma’s crosscourt attack put them at set point, 24-13, before Lacsina sealed the frame with another kill. “We put premium on defense in the last set while trusting each other in every play,” Lacsina shared. Akari carried its momentum into the final set, taking an early 6-3 lead after two powerful serves from Sharma. Galeries Tower attempted a late comeback, with Encarnacion’s ace trimming the gap to 8-9, but they lost momentum, allowing Akari to take full control. Sharma and Lacsina delivered back-to-back smashes, sealing the hard-fought victory and giving the Chargers a crucial 1-0 lead in the series.
MANILA, Philippines—Akari endured a tense battle before outlasting Galeries Tower in a five-set showdown, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-11, on Saturday night in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.
Ivy Lacsina delivered the finishing blow at match point, securing the win after a relentless exchange of attacks from both sides. She led the Chargers with 28 points, steering them to victory in the opener of their best-of-three series.
Eli Soyud provided 19 points, with 18 coming from attacks, most of which proved crucial in the final two sets, where Akari mounted a comeback after falling behind.
“Our week of preparation paid off. It was the endgame adjustment that helped us nail this win,” Soyud said in Filipino.
Galeries Tower Stuns Early, Akari Fights Back
Despite being the underdogs, the Highrisers made an early statement by taking the first set, capitalizing on a service error from Michelle Cobb to clinch the frame.
Akari quickly regrouped in the second set, racing to a 20-11 lead thanks to Lacsina’s powerful attacks. However, Galeries Tower refused to go down easily, cutting the deficit to four points after Elize Ronquillo’s smashes and a deflection from Julia Coronel.
Fifi Sharma ended the Highrisers’ rally with a quick middle attack, followed by a crucial point from Soyud. The Chargers sealed the set after Lacsina’s kill block on Ysa Jimenez.
Galeries Tower, however, regained the upper hand in the third set, with Jewel Encarnacion and Roselle Baliton leading the charge. Encarnacion’s back-to-back attacks broke the tie at 19, while Baliton fortified their defense with two key blocks, allowing them to reclaim the lead.
Chargers Force Decider, Dominate Final Set
Determined to extend the match, Akari tightened its defense and capitalized on Soyud’s clutch plays, along with Lacsina and Sharma’s dominance at the net. Sharma’s crosscourt attack put them at set point, 24-13, before Lacsina sealed the frame with another kill.
“We put premium on defense in the last set while trusting each other in every play,” Lacsina shared.
Akari carried its momentum into the final set, taking an early 6-3 lead after two powerful serves from Sharma. Galeries Tower attempted a late comeback, with Encarnacion’s ace trimming the gap to 8-9, but they lost momentum, allowing Akari to take full control.
Sharma and Lacsina delivered back-to-back smashes, sealing the hard-fought victory and giving the Chargers a crucial 1-0 lead in the series.