Akari, ZUS clinch final PVL on Tour quarterfinal spots

Miko Domingo

The Akari Chargers and Zus Coffee made their presence clear as they punched the last two tickets into the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) on Tour quarterfinals after thwarting Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho, respectively, at the Philsports Arena, August 5

The Akari Chargers narrowly escaped a high-octane opening set to ultimately outlast a fatigued Petro Gazz, 32-30, 25-22, 25-19, and seal a PVL on Tour Quarterfinals berth.

Outside spiker Ivy Lacsina shouldered the burden of the grueling first set for the Chargers with clutch points that sparked the momentum for a straight round sweep.

“I’m super happy because, somehow, our hard work is paying off and the system of coach [Tina Salak] is starting to come out,” said Lacsina.

 The NU varsity standout chipped in 16 points, three blocks, and an ace alongside Eli Soyud’s 15 markers to help power a dominant 53-35 edge in attacks over the Angels.

After a crucial victory in the first set, the Chargers sustained their winning form all the way to the third, where rookie Chenie Tagaod came alive with three service aces to grace them match point, 24-19, before Gretchel Soltones delivered the final dagger to send Petro Gazz packing.

In the absence of main cannons Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Philips, Myla Pablo posted 15 points and eight excellent receptions as Nicole Tiamzon added 12 for the All-Filipino Conference champs.

The Akari Chargers now look to take down preseason nemesis Cignal HD Spikers in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Following Akari’s sweep, ZUS Coffee brewed a miracle stunner of their own, taking down Choco Mucho in the evening clash to complete the quarterfinals cast.

The Thunderbelles came alive in the wake of two sets down and staved off the Flying Titans, 22-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-10, and ground out the last slot for the quarterfinals.

Chinnie Arroyo and Jovelyn Gonzaga proved to be the key ingredients for Zus Coffee’s comeback, stirring a reverse sweep that rendered the Titans’ strong start all for naught.

Arroyo led the charge with 21 markers, combined with Gonzaga stacking 13 of her 16 attack points to anchor ZUS’ scoring department.

After dropping the first two sets, ZUS coffee jolted awake and never looked back as they quickly took the third set behind the heroics of Arroyo and middleblocker AC Miner, who quickly followed in the fourth to force a fifth set. 

Zus Coffee took full control of the deciding frame and quickly mounted a match point, 14-10, just enough time for Gonzaga to sizzle and cap off their turnover run in two hours and nine minutes.

Top scorer Isa Molde fired up the dominant start of Choco Mucho with 27 markers of 23 attacks, three blocks, and one ace alongside 14 excellent receptions.

With the win, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles look to continue their PVL campaign in the quarterfinals against PLDT on Thursday.