Akari Chargers in a game against Nxled Chameleons in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO
Undermanned Akari returned to its winning ways after a 21-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-18 victory against sister team Nxled in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.
Ivy Lacsina scored 17 points off 14 attacks, two aces and a block while Faith Nisperos and Eli Soyud pitched in 15 points each to help the Chargers to a level 4-4 standing.
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Nisperos nailed 12 attacks, Soyud defended the net with six blocks and Kamille Cal tossed 12 excellent sets.
“We’re happy because we lost before this game, so the win today is a boost for us,” Lacsina said referring to their straight sets loss to PLDT to start the year.
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“I just stuck to the role that coach Taka [Minowa] gave me, and I take that as an opportunity to help the team,” Soyud said.
Akari Chargers’ Michelle Cobb during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO
Akari lost another cog as Mich Cobb was stretchered out in the second set after hurting her neck from an awkward roll after diving for the ball. Grethcel Soltones missed a second game due to a knee injury as well as Ced Domingo.
“[Cobb] just went to the hospital. She feels something. That’s why we’re not sure about serious injury or not. But so far, she just went to the hospital and now checking up,” Minowa said.
READ: PVL: PLDT gets sweet revenge vs Akari, but holds no grudges
“We draw out strength from Ate Mich because of course this game is for her. We kept our focus as part of the culture that we’ve built and from our coach’s teachings,” Lacsina said.
“Mich wants us to play us one and win the game today for the team’s conference so we pushed harder and we draw strength from that,” Soyud said.
After giving up the first frame, Akari got back on its feet even with what happened to setter Cobb and in the final frame launched a 5-1 run for a 21-14 advantage.
The Chameleons tried to fight back by stopping three match points but it was already too late as Nisperos unleashed a cross-court to wrap the match.
Nxled remains winless in this conference with a 0-7 record and is now on a 14-game losing streak dating back to the last Reinforced Conference. Chiara Permentilla tried to keep the Chameleons afloat with 20 points, Lucille Almonte contributed 13 points and Lycha Ebon finished with 11 points.
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Akari battles Capital1 next on Feb. 1 while Nxled tries to end the slump, however difficult, against Creamline on Jan. 28, both at PhilSports Arena.
