MANILA – Akari Power Chargers battled back from a first-set collapse to defeat Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20, in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Gretchel Soltones posted a near triple-double numbers of 22 points, nine excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions as the Power Chargers snapped a three-game losing skid to improve to a 3-3 win-loss slate.
“Ang mindset ko lang ay alam ko ‘yung role ko na kailangan ko lang mag-receive at mag-depensa,” Soltones said after the game. “Sa points naman, hindi ko na siya iniisip. Every time na may dadating na bola, ginagawan ko lang ng paraan.”
Mereophe Sharma contributed a conference-high 16 points, including six blocks, Ivy Lacsina contributed 15 markers, and Kamille Cal concluded with 15 excellent sets to go with six points for Akari.
Power Chargers head coach Taka Minowa lauded the effort of his players for not giving up despite being swept in their past three matches and suffering a deflating loss in the first set, where they went up, 20-13, only to surrender the set to Chery Tiggo.
“I just appreciate the players because they were getting down after losing the past three games in straight sets. They were really eager to win this game, and that’s a good thing,” Minowa said.
Ilongga Princess Anne Robles and Victorinara Galang finished with 14 markers apiece for the Crossovers, which dropped to a 3-2 win-loss slate with the defeat.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz Angels recovered from an awful first set performance to defeat the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 12-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-20.
Brooke Van Sickle led the way with 21 points, 12 digs, and eight receptions, while Myla Pablo contributed 19 points on 17 attacks and two blocks as the Angels netted their third straight win for a 4-1 record.
Negrense Jonah Sabete contributed 17 markers, Djanel Cheng tossed 18 excellent sets while Babylove Barbon protected the floor with 14 excellent receptions for the streaking Petro Gazz./PN
