By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Akari Power Chargers remained in contention for a semifinal seat in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference after a 25-17, 25-14, 25-20 beating of the Capital1 Solar Energy Power Spikers at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night, April 11.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat spearheaded the offense with 25 points on 20 attacks, three blocks and two service aces, as the Power Chargers improved their record to 4-5 for the seventh spot.
“Ngayon kasi ‘yung game namin, in-enjoy ko lang and syempre, maka-perform kami, mailabas namin kung ano talaga ‘yung team Akari,” Santiago-Manabat said.
“Ang kailangan lang talaga namin is i-enjoy and ipanalo ‘yung mga bawat games namin,” she added.
Grethcel Soltones contributed nine points, 14 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions, while Faith Nisperos and Ezra Madrigal had eight points apiece for the Power Chargers.
“Again, credit naman talaga sa mga bata kasi medyo nagkaroon ng outcome naman ‘yung pinaghirapan namin na training,” Power Chargers head coach Raffy Mosuela said.
Jorelle Singh finished with 10 points, while Ja Lana and Des Clemente had eight and six markers, respectively, as the Power Spikers sustained their sixth straight defeat to drop to a 1-8 record.
Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers overcame slow starts in each of three sets to score a 26-24, 25-20, 26-24 triumph over the Cignal HD Spikers, and moved up to joint second place with the Creamline Cool Smashers and the Petro Gazz Angels with a 6-2 win-loss slate.
Ejiya “Eya” Laure spearheaded the offense with 16 points, built on 11 attacks, three service aces and two blocks. Ennajie Laure added 13 markers and Victorinara Galang ended with 11 points.
After come-from-behind wins in the first two sets, the Crossovers played catch-up anew in the third set as they trailed 8-12, before Laure anchored their fight back to take a 21-19 advantage.
However, the HD Spikers made their last push as they forced several deadlocks, including at 24-24, before Ennajie and Eya unloaded back-to-back attacks to secure their fourth straight win./ASC, WDJ