Soyud Saves Akari With Clutch Kill as Chargers Survive Farm Fresh Thriller

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Eli Soyud saved her biggest swing for last. The Akari star finished with 30 points and sealed a 25-22, 25-27, 22-25, 25-23, 15-12 win over Farm Fresh with a backrow kill Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The two-hour, 31-minute thriller revived the Chargers’ semifinal bid in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series. It was Akari’s second straight win after opening its campaign with two losses.

Eli Soyud scored 30 points to lead the Akari Chargers past the Farm Fresh Foxies in a five-set PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series match. [PVL Images]

Soyud Powers Akari’s Fifth-Set Rally

Soyud, who had 27 attack points, ended a fifth set filled with deadlocks and lead changes with her decisive hit. The Chargers capitalized on late Farm Fresh miscues to escape.

Ivy Lacsina added 21 points, while Fifi Sharma had 11, including three blocks. Her last block denied Royse Tubino and gave Akari match point.

Mars Alba ran the offense with 22 sets, outplaying Alohi Robins-Hardy, who finished with 17. Akari won the block battle, 13-3, despite holding only a 72-71 edge in attacks.

Chargers Back in Final Four Race

The win came after opening losses to Creamline and Capital1 and a straight-sets romp over PLDT. The Chargers are now back in the Final Four race in the first of three series under the league’s revamped format.

Farm Fresh looked poised to complete a comeback after taking the second and third sets. Akari refused to fold, won the fourth set and carried its momentum into the decider.

Trisha Tubu led the Foxies with 25 points, while Tubino had 14, Mylene Paat-Rezanova 12 and Ces Molina nine. Akari conceded more free points, 29-22, but cut its errors down the stretch.

Soyud explained the team’s mindset after the early setbacks: “Kailangan lang naming bumawi sa mga nakaraang games na natalo kami.” The Chargers, she added, were determined to show their true potential.

Deputy coach Eddieson Orcullo said the team’s character was always there and only needed to come out. The match was the sixth five-setter in three weeks, underscoring the balance of the new format.

Akari faces the winless Galeries Tower Highrisers on Nov. 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum after a week of rest. The Chargers plan to use the break to fix remaining weaknesses and build chemistry.