Total team effort spelled the difference in Akari’s hard-earned, 21-25, 25-20, 27-25, 19-25, 15-8, upset win over veteran-laden F2 Logistics to start its campaign in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Five players finished in double figures highlighting a balanced scoring effort of the Chargers, who built an early 6-1 advantage in the deciding frame before unleashing a 6-2 closing barrage to finish off the undermanned Cargo Movers in the two-hour, 45-minute encounter.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat led the way putting up 19 points with all but one coming off attacks while Faith Nisperos posted 18 markers for Akari, which hosted a block party with 15 kill blocks seven of which came from Ezra Madrigal.
Madrigal had 14 points, Trisha Genesis filled the stats sheet with 13 points to go with 15 digs and nine excellent receptions while Fifi Sharma had a rousing debut with 13 markers including five kill blocks for the Chargers, who pulled off the win in spite committing 36 errors.
Despite getting bludgeoned in the fourth set that forced the decider, Akari kept its composure and raced to a 6-1 advantage.
F2 Logistics, which is missing the services of starting opposite Kim Kianna Dy, top libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Jovelyn Fernandez due to injuries, fought back to cut its deficit to one, 5-6. The Chargers answered with three straight points before igniting the finishing blitz after Sharma committed a net touch violation.
Akari’s victory spoiled the 26-point explosion of Ivy Lacsina, who hammered 22 attacks, three kill blocks and an ace in a lost cause for the Cargo Movers.
Myla Pablo got 12 markers as the only other F2 Logistics player in double-digit scoring. Aby Marano had eight points while Ara Galang and new recruit Joy Dacoron posted six each.
