By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Akari Power Chargers opened the PVL on Tour with a 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 straight-set defeat to the revamped Cignal HD Spikers at the Chavit Coliseum in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on Sunday evening, June 22.

Negrense Christine Joy Soyud spearheaded the offense for the Power Chargers with 12 markers.

However, they still suffered a straight-set loss as they still adjusted to the system of their new head coach, Tina Salak.

Erika Santos had a strong debut for the HD Spikers, finishing with 14 points, all coming from attacks, to be named Player of the Game and take an early 1-0 lead in the Pool B standings.

“Pinaghandaan naman talaga namin itong PVL on Tour, so nakapag-connect naman kami at nakapag-jell as a team,” Santos said.

“Same goal pa din for me, even if I am in a different team. Gusto ko lang na mag-grow pa as a volleyball player,” she added.

After a tight win in the opening set, the HD Spikers broke away from a 7-all score in the second set to take a 16-10 lead before widening it further to 23-11 courtesy of a conversion from rookie Erin Pangilinan.

The Power Chargers tried to stay alive in the third set as they took a 19-18 lead.

The HD Spikers leaned on conversions from Santos and Ernestine Tiamzon to complete a straight-set win.

Gretchel Soltones also hit double-digits for the Power Chargers with 11 markers./ASC, WDJ