Day of upsets: Akari, Capital1 pull off massive wins vs. Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz

Akari and Capital1 did not let history dictate their fate, scoring major upset wins against perennial title contenders Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz, respectively, in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday. 

Akari rose from the dead and wielded a massive upset axe against Choco Mucho, escaping with an 18-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13, for an unbeaten start to its campaign while Capital1 pulled off an unlikely sweep against Petro Gazz 26-24, 25-20, 25-18.

The Chargers overcame a 0-2 set deficit and survived the Flying Titans in thriller to improve to an impressive 2-0 win-loss card while the latter fell to an unusual 0-2 hole in Pool B. 

American import Oly Okaro carried the load and hammered out a huge 38-point outing anchored on 33 attacks, three aces, and two blocks while Grethcel Soltones and Ivy Lacsina chipped in 12 and 10 markers apiece in the game that lasted for two hours and 38 minutes. 

The win came days after their four-set victory against Capital1 last Thursday, where Okaro also led the charge with 19 points. 

“We definitely started the game poorly…we were tense at the beginning. But after we collectively loosened up, we started coming back,” said Okaro, whose 38-point outburst made her the fifth highest scoring in the import-laden offering. 

Meanwhile, the Solar Spikers relied on import Marina Tushova, whose 24-point brilliance sent the franchise to an even 1-1 slate in Pool B while team captain Jorelle Singh and Lourdes Clemente each chipped in nine markers as they sent the Angels to a 1-1 record as well. 

In the other game, Cignal got its act together in time to survive a brave stand from new-look ZUS Coffee, eking out a 25-18, 29-27, 21-25, 25-22, and keep its record clean untainted in two games. 

MJ Perez was solid on both ends of the floor, detonating for 30 points built on 26 attacks, three aces, and one block while also grabbing 10 excellent receptions as the HD Spikers improved to 2-0 as well. The Thunderbelles, on the other hand, remained winless at 0-2. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News