Akari finally put everything together on Tuesday, February 24, delivering its most complete showing of the conference. The Chargers halted a three-game slide with a composed 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22 victory over Nxled in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries at the FilOil Playtime Centre.

More than just a win, it was a statement performance from a squad that had looked disjointed in its first three outings. Akari showed cohesion and poise, regrouping after a tight third-set loss before taking firm control of the fourth to close out the two-hour, 10-minute contest.

The breakthrough lifted the Chargers to 1-3 and injected life into their campaign in the season-ending conference organized by Sports Vision. It also reaffirmed the potential many expected from the team entering the tournament.

Balanced attack powers Akari surge

Ced Domingo delivered the finishing touch with her trademark quick attack that the Chameleons could not contain. The middle blocker anchored the net with 17 points, including two blocks, while providing steady presence alongside Fifi Sharma.

Akari’s wing offense also came alive in a big way. Ivy Lacsina erupted for 20 points, while Eli Soyud and Grethcel Soltones contributed 13 and 12, respectively, giving the Chargers four players in double figures.

Running the offense was Mars Alba, who tallied 22 excellent sets and added five points of her own. Her mix of timely 1-2 plays and even a rare foot attack kept Nxled guessing and earned her Best Player of the Game honors.

“Tiwala lang sa isa’t isa,” Alba said. “We thanked the Lord because we couldn’t have done this on our own. We’re grateful to finally get a win and hopefully this continues.”

Akari’s offensive rhythm reflected in the numbers, as the Chargers dominated the attack department, 70-57. The surge offset Nxled’s slight advantage at the net, where Ranya Musa accounted for four of the team’s eight blocks.

Nxled falters after strong start

The loss marked Nxled’s second straight defeat after opening the conference with three consecutive wins. Now at 3-2, the Chameleons suddenly appear vulnerable after early projections tagged them as one of the teams to beat.

Brooke Van Sickle paced Nxled with 16 points but struggled to establish rhythm early, allowing Akari to dictate the tempo. Myla Pablo added 14 markers, while MJ Phillips chipped in 12 in her return after missing the Highrisers loss.

Nxled did show fight in the third set, surviving a tense finish highlighted by momentum swings and a prolonged net-infraction challenge. Jonah Sabete-Escamillan delivered back-to-back clutch hits, and Djanel Cheng later fired an ace to push the Chameleons to set point.

Akari threatened late behind Domingo’s quick hit, but a service error by Kamille Cal ultimately handed Nxled the set. The Chargers, however, refused to let the momentum slip away for good.

Playing with urgency in the fourth, Akari regained control behind Lacsina’s firepower and Alba’s precise orchestration. The Chargers repeatedly turned back Nxled rallies down the stretch to finally secure the much-needed victory.