The Akari Chargers pull off the escape job against the debuting ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles to secure their first win in the PVL on Tour.
The Akari Chargers are finally in the win column of the PVL on Tour after escaping the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in a five-set thriller, 26-24, 25-21, 17-25, 17-25, 17-15, at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal on Saturday.
The Chargers’ victory comes as new head coach Tina Salak made her debut with the team after missing out during the Vigan leg.
Despite seeing their two-set lead disappear, Akari came back firing in the fifth set with a 3-0 start capped by Grethcel Soltones’ off-the-block hit.
ZUS Coffee would come right back with its own mini-run behind veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga.
Tied at 9-all, the Chargers pulled ahead after three-straight points, two of which came from Eli Soyud. However, the Thunderbelles would not back down, tying the game with a 3-0 run of their own after back-to-back kill blocks by Maika Ortiz.
Tied once more at 13-all, Soyud pushed Akari to match point, which was quickly erased by rookie AC Miner.
Crucial errors from both sides led to an extended set. There, Ced Domingo pushed the Chargers ahead once more at 16-15 after a running attack, before Kate Santiago’s attack then sailed wide, sealing the Chargers’ first win in the preseason tilt.
Akari now sits with a 1-2 record for 4th in Pool B, while ZUS Coffee starts off at 0-1.
Soltones had an all-around outing with 23 points, 11 excellent, nine excellent receptions.
The Chargers will look to go back-to-back when they face the Chery Tiggo Crossovers tomorrow, July 6, still at the Ynares Center Montalban.