Eli Soyud did not need a new game plan to jolt Akari’s season. The veteran winger needed only trust, and she turned it into a 30-point blast that pulled the Chargers out of a winless start.

Soyud, a former Adamson standout, scored 30 points on 27 attacks, two blocks and an ace as Akari beat Farm Fresh, 25-22, 25-27, 22-25, 25-23, 15-12, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. It was Akari’s second straight Premier Volleyball League (PVL) win.

Soyud Credits Akari’s Trust

The comeback lifted Akari to a 2-2 record, tied with Farm Fresh and PLDT. Soyud credited the unwavering faith of the Chargers’ coaching staff and teammates for her breakout night.

Soyud explained. “‘Yung tiwala na binigay nila sa akin, ‘yun ‘yung pinanghahawakan ko rin, and ‘yung tiwala ng coaches na wala silang ibang binigay sa akin na instructions kundi sige, paluin ko lang, huwag kang mag-hesitate, which is ‘yun din ang sinunod ko.”

Soyud said that shared belief carried Akari all the way to a fifth set. “Ang maganda lang is walang nagdo-doubt kung anuman ‘yung gagawin ng bawat isa. ‘Yun ‘yung nakapag-motivate sa amin na talagang kunin kahit umabot ng fifth set.”

Soyud Earns Player of Week

Soyud’s night did not go unnoticed. She earned the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week citation for Oct. 27 to 29.

Rather than dwell on the milestone, the former Adamson stalwart kept her focus on a much-needed win heading into the second half of the preliminary round. “Actually wala akong idea na umabot 30 points basta ‘yung akin, manalo kami. ‘Yun ang main goal,” she said.

Soyud admitted that Akari was in a tight spot after dropping its first two games. However, the Chargers refused to give up.

She pointed to training as the turning point. “Mahirap bumangon pag sunod-sunod ‘yung talo, so talagang tiyatiyagain namin, especially sa training.”

“Doon talaga ‘yung magsimula, kung paano kami mag-prep, kung paano ‘yung magiging game plan namin pag-abot sa game,” said the 2025 PVL Press Corps Most Improved Player. “Ngayon, nagbubunga na siya and nakikita na ‘yung potential ng team,” she added.

Soyud edged out teammate Mars Alba, Creamline’s Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons, Choco Mucho’s Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Eya Laure, and PLDT’s Savi Davison. Print and online reporters covering the league, organized by Sports Vision, decide the weekly honor.

The Chargers return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 3, aiming to extend their winning streak against the Galeries Tower Highrisers at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Akari will look to keep rolling after outlasting Farm Fresh in five sets.