Chargers edge Highrisers in 4, keep QR hopes alive

Akari kept its momentum rolling in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, surviving a tense four-set duel with Galeries Tower, 25-23, 25-23, 14-25, 26-24, Tuesday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.

The Chargers extended their winning streak to five games and improved to 5-3, climbing into fourth place. A victory over Farm Fresh this Saturday would secure their spot in the qualifying round.

“Actually, ‘yung sa Galeries talaga nakaka-inspire ‘yung motivation nila,” said Akari head coach Tina Salak, reflecting on the determination of their opponents. Salak’s squad had struggled early in the tournament, dropping three straight matches, but has since found its stride.

Despite being limited to just seven points, Ivy Lacsina made a huge impact with 19 excellent receptions and came through in the clutch. In the fourth set, she delivered back-to-back kills to break a 20-all tie, giving Akari a 22-20 edge, and later finished off a combination play to put the Chargers ahead 24-23. After a brief deuce caused by a service error from Erika Raagas, Eli Soyud slammed a game-winning cross-court attack, sealing the match after nearly two hours of play.

“Yun ‘yung challenge ko sa kanila ngayon na everytime na nagkakaroon tayo ng mga ganitong pagkakataon na mababa ‘yung nilalaro namin kasi ‘di naman talaga everyday parang pasko. I think sa amin buti nairaos namin, ‘yun talaga nairaos namin ng maayos,” Salak added.

Ced Domingo led Akari with 14 points, including nine attacks, four kill blocks, and an ace, while Fifi Sharma chipped in 13 points with nine attacks and four rejections. Soyud added 12 points on 11 attacks and a block, and veteran Grethcel Soltones battled through the flu to finish with eight points and eight excellent receptions. Mars Alba orchestrated the offense with 27 excellent sets and four points, and captain Justine Jazareno contributed 15 excellent digs.

For Galeries Tower, which dropped to 2-8 and will enter the play-in round, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas led the team with 17 points. Erika Raagas added 14 points and nine excellent receptions, while Jean Asis scored 13 markers. Erika Deloria contributed 10 points, 12 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions, and Julia Coronel handed out 19 excellent sets with six points.

Galeries Tower will try to end the preliminaries on a high note against Capital1 on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Filoil Centre.