By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Akari Power Chargers secured a 25-14, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23 victory against the new-look ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Center in Pasig City on Thursday night, November 14.
Negrense Christine Joy Soyud made her presence felt offensively with 15 markers, as the Power Chargers grabbed solo first place in the standings with a 2-0 win-loss slate.
Ivy Lacsina led the way with 24 points, including 22 attacks, while Grethcel Soltones concluded the match with 10 markers, including some crucial points in the fourth set, for the Power Chargers.
“Sobrang haba ng process na pinagdaanan namin to gain this confidence, pero hindi pa ganun kapulido. Teamwork at sistema ni coach at puso ang nagpanalo sa amin,” Lacsina said in a post-game interview.
After dropping the third set, the Power Chargers had a hard time closing out the Thunderbelles in the fourth set, as the two teams were tied at 23-all before Faith Nisperos and Lacsina unloaded back-to-back points to clinch the win.
Thea Gagate, the top-overall pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, finished with 13 points in her league debut, while Michelle Gamit and Kate Santiago added 12 markers apiece for the Thunderbelles.
Meanwhile, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans overcame a tough challenge from the Galeries Tower Highrisers for a 27-29, 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12 escape.
Kat Tolentino delivered a stellar performance of 27 points, including seven blocks, as the Flying Titans bounced back from their opening-day loss to the Petro Gazz Angels for a 1-1 win-loss slate.
“I feel tired but happy to be back helping the team. We just trusted each other and kept fighting,” Tolentino said during her Player of the Game interview.
“This is just the beginning. We have so much to give, and we’re going to keep working hard,” she added.
Cherry Ann Rondina also made her presence felt offensively for the Flying Titans with 19 points, while Cherry Nunag and rookie Lorraine Pecaña contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively./ASC, WDJ