Akari survives Choco Mucho in marathon to advance to next phase

March 30 ------ AKARI punched its way to the final phase of the play-ins with a 25-15, 23-25, 25-16, 15-25, 21-19 win over Choco Mucho in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. It took six match points in an extended tiebreak before Eli Soyud’s ace handed Akari a hard-earned win in the longest five-setter of the conference.

The Chargers made up for their opening-day sweep loss to the Flying Titans, turning the tables in a higher-stakes rematch with their campaign on the line. "Sobrang proud ako kasi will na nila 'to eh, to step into the next round," said Akari head coach Tina Salak. "'Yung will talaga nila 'yun na manalo, 'yung wanting it more with the next level of our game, na kahit nawala man 'yung tiwala pero bumabalik pa rin kami sa isa't isa."

Ivy Lacsina played the game of her life with 30 points, six in the fifth set, to fend off Choco Mucho’s brewing fan-backed comeback. Now standing between Akari and a fourth semifinals appearance in the last five conferences is former title rival Creamline, with their play-in finale set on April 7 when the league resumes after the Holy Week break. Eli Soyud powered Akari with 18 points highlighted by five blocks, while Grethcel Soltones backed her up with an all-around effort of 11 points and 23 receptions. Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo added 11 and seven points, respectively, from the middle, with Justine Jazareno anchoring the floor defense with 28 digs.

Akari came out blazing, opening a 21-10 lead that ballooned to 13 before Ivy Lacsina stopped a late Choco Mucho push to seal the first set. The Flying Titans struck back in a tighter second frame, erasing a 22-23 deficit behind a Lorraine Pecaña block before Kat Tolentino finished it off to tie the match. Akari regained control in Set 3, turning a 16-13 edge into a decisive 9-3 closing run capped by Soyud’s cross-court hit. But Choco Mucho would force a decider and briefly escape the brink of elimination with a 14-5 run to build a 12-point cushion in the fourth.

In the fifth, both teams traded challenges in a tense finish, but Akari held its ground, outlasting the Flying Titans who managed just one match point at 17-16. Eya Laure, who sat out the first set, still led Choco Mucho with 20 points along with 12 receptions and 11 digs, including five in the decider. Tolentino added 19 points with five coming in Set 5, while Sisi Rondina was limited to 13 points and 20 receptions as Choco Mucho bowed out of the All-Filipino Conference.

Source: spin.ph