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Akari Chargers Storm Into Quarterfinals With Grit, Growth, And A Statement Win Over Petro Gazz
Photo credit: PVL
Akari’s Premier Volleyball League campaign just shifted into high gear.
Riding the wave of a gutsy opening-set escape, the Akari Chargers powered past a short-handed Petro Gazz squad, 32-30, 25-22, 25-19, to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the PVL On Tour on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The win was more than just a ticket to the next round—it was a statement of progress for a team beginning to truly find its footing under head coach Tina Salak.
The Chargers were made to earn every inch of that opening set, fending off a resilient Petro Gazz squad despite squandering six set points. But when it mattered most, Akari delivered—led by Ivy Lacsina’s clutch kills and anchored by rookie setter Bea Bonafe’s poise under pressure.
“Sobrang saya namin kasi pinaghirapan talaga namin ito,” said Lacsina, who finished with 16 points and three blocks to take home Best Player of the Game honors. “Nakikita na namin ’yung sistema na gustong ipatupad ni Coach T, and little by little, lumalabas na sa laro namin.”
Lacsina also pointed to their grueling training stretch as a turning point: “Grabe ’yung pinagdaanan namin nitong last three weeks—literal na paiyakan sa training. Pero mindset namin: bigyan ng hustisya ’yung pinaghirapan namin. Kaya sobrang worth it itong panalo.”
With core players Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, and an injured Jonah Sabete either sidelined or limited, Petro Gazz simply couldn’t match the renewed energy and cohesion of Akari, who took full advantage and never looked back.
From powerful attacks (53-35 edge) to a commanding presence at the net (9-6 in blocks), Akari dictated the tempo, even as unforced errors—27 in all—offered the Angels glimmers of hope. Still, the Chargers delivered when it counted. Lacsina’s back-to-back kills sealed the opening set in dramatic fashion and set the tone for what followed.
Veteran Gretchel Soltones was instrumental in stabilizing Akari in the second frame, while rookie Chenie Tagaod took over late in the third, uncorking three straight service aces in a decisive run that blew the match wide open. Soltones eventually put the finishing touch with a clean down-the-line hit, wrapping up the sweep in just over 90 minutes.
Eli Soyud added 15 points and six digs in a steady performance, with Soltones chipping in 13 and six of her own. Ezra Madrigal and Ced Domingo patrolled the middle with nine and seven points, respectively, while Tagaod made the most of limited minutes, scoring five—four in that game-changing stretch.
Rookie playmaker Bea Bonafe stood out with 14 excellent sets, stepping up against the more experienced Chie Saet, who finished with nine. It was a performance that impressed even Salak, a former national team setter herself.
“Thankful ako dahil through Petro Gazz, nakita natin ang potential ni Bea,” Salak said. “Ginamit namin ’yung break to recover and make adjustments. Masarap lang sa pakiramdam ang manalo. Nag-expect kami, pero hindi sweep.”
Despite flashes of brilliance from Myla Pablo (15 points) and Nicole Tiamzon (12), Petro Gazz struggled to find consistent firepower, highlighting the absence of their top guns. The loss dropped them to fourth in Pool A.
But this match was all about Akari.
They didn’t just win—they showed character. The Chargers kept their nerve through a seesaw first set, adjusted mid-match, and pulled together to close strong. It’s the kind of performance that signals something deeper than just good form. It suggests a team beginning to believe.
With momentum on their side, Akari now braces for a high-stakes quarterfinal showdown against the No. 2-seeded Cignal on Thursday. It’s win-or-go-home territory—and judging by how they performed under pressure, the Chargers won’t be backing down.
From grueling practices to gutsy play, Akari is steadily carving out its identity—and that could spell trouble for anyone in their path.
Riding the wave of a gutsy opening-set escape, the Akari Chargers powered past a short-handed Petro Gazz squad, 32-30, 25-22, 25-19, to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the PVL On Tour on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The win was more than just a ticket to the next round—it was a statement of progress for a team beginning to truly find its footing under head coach Tina Salak.
The Chargers were made to earn every inch of that opening set, fending off a resilient Petro Gazz squad despite squandering six set points. But when it mattered most, Akari delivered—led by Ivy Lacsina’s clutch kills and anchored by rookie setter Bea Bonafe’s poise under pressure.
“Sobrang saya namin kasi pinaghirapan talaga namin ito,” said Lacsina, who finished with 16 points and three blocks to take home Best Player of the Game honors. “Nakikita na namin ’yung sistema na gustong ipatupad ni Coach T, and little by little, lumalabas na sa laro namin.”
Lacsina also pointed to their grueling training stretch as a turning point: “Grabe ’yung pinagdaanan namin nitong last three weeks—literal na paiyakan sa training. Pero mindset namin: bigyan ng hustisya ’yung pinaghirapan namin. Kaya sobrang worth it itong panalo.”
With core players Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, and an injured Jonah Sabete either sidelined or limited, Petro Gazz simply couldn’t match the renewed energy and cohesion of Akari, who took full advantage and never looked back.
From powerful attacks (53-35 edge) to a commanding presence at the net (9-6 in blocks), Akari dictated the tempo, even as unforced errors—27 in all—offered the Angels glimmers of hope. Still, the Chargers delivered when it counted. Lacsina’s back-to-back kills sealed the opening set in dramatic fashion and set the tone for what followed.
Veteran Gretchel Soltones was instrumental in stabilizing Akari in the second frame, while rookie Chenie Tagaod took over late in the third, uncorking three straight service aces in a decisive run that blew the match wide open. Soltones eventually put the finishing touch with a clean down-the-line hit, wrapping up the sweep in just over 90 minutes.
Eli Soyud added 15 points and six digs in a steady performance, with Soltones chipping in 13 and six of her own. Ezra Madrigal and Ced Domingo patrolled the middle with nine and seven points, respectively, while Tagaod made the most of limited minutes, scoring five—four in that game-changing stretch.
Rookie playmaker Bea Bonafe stood out with 14 excellent sets, stepping up against the more experienced Chie Saet, who finished with nine. It was a performance that impressed even Salak, a former national team setter herself.
“Thankful ako dahil through Petro Gazz, nakita natin ang potential ni Bea,” Salak said. “Ginamit namin ’yung break to recover and make adjustments. Masarap lang sa pakiramdam ang manalo. Nag-expect kami, pero hindi sweep.”
Despite flashes of brilliance from Myla Pablo (15 points) and Nicole Tiamzon (12), Petro Gazz struggled to find consistent firepower, highlighting the absence of their top guns. The loss dropped them to fourth in Pool A.
But this match was all about Akari.
They didn’t just win—they showed character. The Chargers kept their nerve through a seesaw first set, adjusted mid-match, and pulled together to close strong. It’s the kind of performance that signals something deeper than just good form. It suggests a team beginning to believe.
With momentum on their side, Akari now braces for a high-stakes quarterfinal showdown against the No. 2-seeded Cignal on Thursday. It’s win-or-go-home territory—and judging by how they performed under pressure, the Chargers won’t be backing down.
From grueling practices to gutsy play, Akari is steadily carving out its identity—and that could spell trouble for anyone in their path.
Aug 5, 2025
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