MANILA, Philippines – After a lengthy three-game skid with no sets won, the Akari Chargers finally returned to the win column after bucking a first-frame setback to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20, at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, December 10.
With the win, Akari rose to a 3-3 record, good for sixth place in the 12-team fold, to end a historic yet controversial 2024 run that featured a highly controversial Reinforced Conference finals clincher against PLDT. The Chargers return on January 18, 2025, after playing a league-high six games so far.
Grethcel Soltones scored 22 points in the much-needed win, including the final off-the-block hit to cap off a block-heavy 5-1 finish from a small 20-19 lead in the fourth set.
Alas Pilipinas star blocker Fifi Sharma, meanwhile, had her best game yet of the conference with 16 points off 8 attacks, a game-high 6 rejections, and 2 aces, backstopped by 15 points from star spiker Ivy Lacsina.
Kamille Cal led the offense with 15 excellent sets plus 6 blocks — 5 coming off blocks alone.
Ara Galang and Cess Robles paced Chery Tiggo’s slide to a 3-2 slate with 14 points apiece.
Meanwhile, the Petro Gazz Angels rolled to their third straight win for a 4-1 record after taking down fellow contenders PLDT High Speed Hitters, 12-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-20, in a fitting tribute to the return of Fil-Am star blocker MJ Phillips.
Reigning All-Filipino MVP Brooke Van Sickle took up the scoring cudgels as usual with 21 points off 18 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace, while fellow MVP Myla Pablo scored 19 to continue an early conference hot streak.
Jonah Sabete added 17 points, while Phillips added 2 points in limited time as Djanel Cheng orchestrated the balanced offense with 18 excellent sets.
PLDT, meanwhile, was far from balanced in its second straight loss down a 3-2 slate as Savi Davison carried the load with a massive 28-point eruption, with no other teammate breaching double-digit scoring. – Rappler.com