By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Christine Joy Soyud delivered a steady, reliable performance to help power the Akari Power Chargers to a stunning 28-26, 30-28, 25-21 sweep of the top-seeded Farm Fresh Foxies in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Soyud, one of Akari’s most dependable locals this conference, stepped up in the clutch and finished with 10 points, providing crucial support alongside fellow wing spiker Gretchel Soltones.
The volleybelle’s timely hits and composed presence proved vital as the No. 8 ranked Power Chargers secured their third straight semifinal appearance.
Import Annie Mitchem topscored with 25 points, while libero Justine Jazareno anchored Akari’s floor defense with 21 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions to earn Player of the Game honors.
With the score knotted at 17-all in the final frame, Akari turned to Soyud, Soltones, Fifi Sharma, and Ced Domingo to spark a crucial run that pushed them ahead, 24-20.
The Foxies briefly held off elimination, but Mitchem sealed the upset with a cross-court hit.
Helene Rousseaux was the lone bright spot for the Foxies with 25 points, while veterans Frances Xinia Molina and Trisha Tubu combined for only 14 markers in the defeat.
Meanwhile, the Petro Gazz Angels eliminated defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers with a 25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14 victory and earned a semifinals date with the Power Chargers.
Myla Pablo led the Angels with a team-high 26 points built on 23 attacks, two blocks and an ace to earn Player of the Game honors.
Brooke Van Sickle added 19 points on top of 12 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions, while MarJana Phillips chipped in 10 points.
The Angels briefly lost reinforcement Lindsey Vander Weide, who slipped on a teammate’s foot in the first set and was helped off the court with an apparent ankle injury. She returned to the fourth set and finished with six points.
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles became the third team to secure a semifinal berth after sweeping the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-16, 25-20, 25-18, in their quarterfinal matchup.
On the other hand, the PLDT High Speed Hitters completed the semifinals cast after defeating sister team Cignal Super Spikers, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, to keep their hopes for a third straight title alive./ASC, WDJ