Akari survives gutsy Choco Mucho in 5; Nxled stymies Galeries Tower to boost semis bid

The Akari Chargers and Nxled Chameleons bolstered their semifinals hopes alive in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference knockout stage, with the Chargers outlasting Choco Mucho in a grueling five-set thriller and the Chameleons trouncing a tough-gutted Galeries Tower crew at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Saturday, March 28.

In a two-hour, 26-minute wringer that tested every squad’s endurance, it was the Chargers who emerged triumphant after a pressure-packed five-set thriller, harvesting a 25–15, 23–25, 25-16, 15–25, 21–19 victory against the Flying Titans.

The vociferous crowd watched both teams battle it out in the high-stakes match, exchanging a total of six match points in the payoff period before Eli Soyud’s ace eliminated Choco Mucho from contention.

Knotted at a 13-all score in the final frame, Sisi Rondina wrapped up a grueling rally with a powerful left-wing kill to lift Choco Mucho momentarily before a personal miscue tied up the game once again.

Ivy Lacsina powered the Chargers to hold her squad steady amid the raging Flying Titans storm, though a Tia Andaya hit and a Kat Tolentino block gave Choco Mucho the advantage, lifting the gap to 17–16.

Lacsina then fired a crosscourt blast, with Eli Soyud delivering a hit on her own to give Akari the much-needed match point at 18–17.

With Fifi Sharma handing the Chargers match point once again off a quick kill, Tolentino then flipped the script as she unleashed back-to-back hits to knot another deadlock at 19-all.

With both squads daring not to commit a single mistake in this showdown, the crack then came.

Akari capitalized on a Lorraine Pecaña service error to put the score at a 20–19 edge.

Soyud, a woman on a mission, then uncorked a mighty ace to finally shut the door on Choco Mucho.

Lacsina paced Akari with a 30-point masterclass with 27 receptions and 10 digs, with Soyud hacking  out 18 markers, including the game-sealing ace.

Eya Laure posted 20 points, 12 receptions, and 11 digs to lead Choco Mucho’s charge, with Tolentino and Rondina contributing 19 and 13 markers, respectively, but it was not enough to seal the deal when it mattered most.

Nxled’s statement win v.s. Galeries Tower

Meanwhile, Nxled flexed its all-around brilliance during crunch time to eke out a 25–23, 25–18, 25–23 straight-set triumph over Galeries Tower.

The Chameleons bucked an error-plagued opening frame before flashing their A-game in the following sets to emerge on top in the 93-minute match.

Nxled, down 18–21, commenced the third-set tailspin with a MJ Phillips hit and multiple Highrisers miscues to fuel the squad’s much-needed rally, though Galeries Tower maintained the advantage at 23–21 with Erika Deloria’s defensive control.

From here on out, Nxled asserted their dominance with Brooke Van Sickle’s hit and a block to keep Nxled afloat and knot a 23-all deadlock.

Phillips fired a howitzer-like ace to lift the Chameleons forward, with Van Sickle sealing the deal with a block against Aiza Pontillas.

Galeries Tower cruised through the second canto, wreaking havoc with their sharp offensive surge thanks to a Van Sickle-Myla Pablo connivance to seize control.

Though the black-and-orange belles resisted an iron-willed Highrisers in the opening salvo, Pablo broke the deadlock with a down-the-line hit and a power push to draw first blood.

Phillips fueled Nxled’s demolition with 17 points, with Van Sickle and Pablo breaching a double-digit output with 14 and 10 markers, respectively, to send the Highrisers home.

Determined to secure their respective spots to the semifinals, Akari will now attempt to sustain their winning ways against powerhouse Creamline, while Nxled will collide with Farm Fresh Foxies.