Akari slowed down the prolific Bella Belen late and sustained its surge toward Qualifying Round contention, rebounding from an opening-set slip to sweep the next three frames and carve out a 17-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-17 victory over Capital1 in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Playtime Centre late Saturday, March 7.

Ivy Lacsina spearheaded the Chargers’ attack with 19 points, while Chenie Tagaod came off the bench to deliver 12 markers, including clutch hits in the middle sets, as the Chargers recovered from a shaky start and imposed a more composed, calculated attack to complete the one-hour and 52-minute triumph.

The victory was Akari’s third straight after opening the conference with three losses, a turnaround fueled by improved execution and a defensive scheme that limited Belen to her first sub-20-point performance in seven matches. More importantly, the win lifted the Chargers to joint fourth place with the idle Choco Mucho Flying Titans, strengthening their push for one of the four Qualifying Round berths.

Capital1 struggles despite early brilliance

The Solar Spikers dropped to 3-4. Mars Alba delivered 23 stellar sets, but it was her early exploits that electrified the opening frame. As she descended toward the floor, she executed a daring dig – striking the ball solely with her left foot. The ball arced gracefully over the net, sparking an unexpected rally that ultimately earned Akari the point, 2-1. The crowd, seldom treated to such unconventional brilliance, responded with enthusiastic nods and applause.

The Solar Spikers took the first set in commanding fashion but struggled through the next three as the Chargers mounted a decisive comeback. Belen still finished with 24 points, extending her streak of 20-point performances to seven straight games. However, she received little offensive support, with none of her teammates scoring in double figures. Sydney Niegos, who erupted for a personal-best 20 points in their previous outing, was limited to eight, while Shaya Adorador added nine.

In contrast, Ivy Lacsina drew steady support from her teammates, with Eli Soyud contributing 14 points. Fifi Sharma chipped in nine markers, while Grethcel Soltones delivered six crucial points to help power the Chargers’ victory.

Defensive heroics seal the win

“We worked hard for this. At hindi p’wede na bumaba ang energy ng team kasi mas lalo lang kaming mahihirapan,” said libero Justine Jazareno, who earned Best Player of the Game honors after tallying 17 excellent digs. She kept the ball alive in transition and repeatedly saved hard hits from the Solar Spikers, particularly from Belen.

“I’m super happy for the team, kasi lahat nagtutulong-tulong,” added the Alas Pilipinas mainstay, who also contributed three receptions. Though the race for the Qualifying Round – where the top four teams advance outright – remains tight, Akari’s latest triumph highlighted the team’s growing cohesion and its ability to respond under pressure as it builds momentum in the tournament’s crucial stretch.

Lacsina continued to find her rhythm after a slow start to the conference organized by Sports Vision, her aggressive scoring and energy rippling through the lineup. That spark proved especially vital for Tagaod, who delivered a breakout performance after managing just one point in Akari’s dramatic five-set comeback win over the Cignal Super Spikers last weekend.

Meanwhile, Akari’s defensive structure – anchored by disciplined floor coverage and strategic blocking patterns implemented by head coach Tina Salak – kept the rest of the Solar Spikers from establishing their offensive rhythm. The Chargers repeatedly disrupted the Solar Spikers’ timing, forcing tougher angles and limiting the league’s most prolific scorer to less efficient opportunities.

Capital1 fails to recover in the closing stretch

Capital1 briefly threatened to extend the contest and force what could have been the conference’s 10th five-set match. But the Chargers erased an early 2–5 deficit in the fourth set, riding a vintage stretch from Soltones, who scored three points in a pivotal run that pushed Akari ahead, 6-5.

After building a 16-12 cushion, the Chargers suddenly felt the pressure as the Solar Spikers unleashed three straight hits to pull within one. But an Akari timeout proved perfectly timed, cooling off server Belen and halting the Solar Spikers’ surge. The Chargers responded with a decisive 4–0 run, igniting a strong finish that pushed the lead to 23–16.

Belen’s long backrow attack ultimately sealed the Solar Spikers’ fate – and secured the crucial victory for the Chargers.