Akari takes down ZUS Coffee to maintain a perfect PVL record

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Akari Chargers continued to steamroll their way in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after outdueling the retooled ZUS Coffee squad, 25-14, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, on November 14, 2024, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

With another victory, the Chargers zoomed to an undefeated 2-0 win-loss record after repeating their four-setter win over the Galeries Tower Highrisers during their match debut.

Ivy Lacsina made sure Akari picked up where they left off as the former middle blocker of the National University (NU) went unconscious throughout the four sets, dropping a game-high 24 points built from 22 successful attacks.

The tall outside hitter quickly buckled to work for the Chargers and found the gaps in the backline of ZUS Coffee, mixing up her offense with power and a series of drop balls.

Lacsina also embraced her matchup against the first-ever PVL top Rookie pick, Thea Gagate, who finally made her debut for ZUS Coffee after rendering her services to the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team.

With Gagate anchoring the ZUS Coffee defense, Lacsina proved that experience is still an edge as she outsmarted her on several occasions, targeting her hands to score off-the-block points.

Despite a scare from ZUS Coffee when they retaliated in the third set to stay alive, Akari finally put the cherry on top in the final frame when Lacsina and Eli Soyud joined hands to host a scoring party.

The 1-2 punch answered a momentum-stealing run from ZUS Coffee and took matters into their own hands as they outscored the whole opposition during the final six-game possessions.

Soyud, who stepped up when the Chargers needed a spark in the pivotal fourth set, capped off the victory with 15 points derived from 14 successful attacks.

Gretchel Soltones also continued her steady presence for Akari and backstopped Lacsina & Soyud with an all-around performance of 10 markers, 11 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions.

On the other hand, Gagate showed a promising start to her PVL career as the no. 1 overall pick amassed 13 points, a block, and an ace.

Akari will gun for their third straight victory on November 23, 2024, as they face the winningest franchise in the league, the Creamline Cool Smashers, in the last game of the scheduled doubleheader.