By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Akari Power Chargers kept their playoff hopes alive after scoring a straight-sets win over the Nxled Chameleons, 25-13, 25-17, 25-22, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, November 13.

Marionne Alba orchestrated the offense with precision, tallying 21 excellent sets on top of three points to earn Player of the Game honors as the Power Chargers improved to a 4-3 card.

Reinforcement Annie Mitchem powered Akari with 22 points built on 19 attacks, two blocks and an ace, while Gretchel Soltones backed her up with 12 markers in helping the team snap a two-game losing streak.

However, Negrense Christine Joy Soyud was limited to just seven points in the victory, as the Power Chargers leaned on Mitchem’s firepower and balanced contributions to get the job done.

After cruising in the opening two frames, Akari had to withstand a late third-set surge from the Chameleons before sealing the sweep and forging a tie with the Cignal Super Spikers in the standings.

Paola Martinez and Chiara Permentilla finished with 10 points apiece for Nxled, which fell to 0-7 for the conference.

Meanwhile, the Cignal Super Spikers tightened their bid for a quarterfinal berth after stunning previously unbeaten ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-12, 26-24, 25-23.

The Super Spikers, who opened the tournament with a shaky 2-3 record in Pool A, have now won back-to-back matches to climb to fifth place and move within one victory of securing a spot in the next round.

Slovak reinforcement Katrin Trebichavská and PVL On Tour MVP Erika Santos powered Cignal’s strong second-round surge, placing the team on the brink of sweeping Pool C.

Santos led the way for the Super Spikers with 19 points, coming from 13 attacks, three blocks and three service aces, while Trebichavská contributed 13 markers and 14 excellent receptions./ASC, WDJ