PVL: Akari, Capital1 cop breakthrough wins in All-Filipino tilt

Akari and Capital1 finally broke out of their slumps after denying their respective foes in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

The Chargers repulsed a third set rally from Farm Fresh to complete a sweep victory, 25-19, 25-15, 25-22, to end their two-game losing streak and improve to 1-2. The Foxies, meanwhile, fell to a 1-2 card.

Farm Fresh were able dig deep in the final frame and even secured an 18-16 lead before Akari unleashed a crucial 5-2 run to regain a 21-20 cushion. But Chinnie Arroyo tied things up at 21-all to once again level the game.

Veteran outside hitter Grethcel Soltones then came up with a pair of clutch points for the Chargers, going over the double block of Trisha Tubu and Aprylle Tagsip before she rejected Tubu to deliver the match point at 24-21.

Farm Fresh would still save one match point off a down-the-line hit from lefty Kate Santiago but a smart play from Eli Soyud from the back finished it off for the Chargers.

Soltones topscored for Akari with 16 points anchored on 13 attacks, two aces, and one block while Soyud and Erika Raagas provided the support with 14 and 10 markers each.

In the first game, new club Capital1 also barged into the win column after carving out a 25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20 victory against another newcomer in Strong Group Athletics behind a stellar outing from Jorelle Singh.

The former National University standout put together 13 points built on 12 attacks and one block to help the Solar Spikers hike their standing to 1-2 while SGA slipped to 0-3.

Another veteran spiker in Patty Orendain shone for Capital1 as she churned out nine points while Arriane Layug and Janeca Lana chipped in eight markers apiece.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News