PVL: Akari, PLDT clinch QF berth with escapes vs. Farm Fresh, ZUS Coffee

Akari and PLDT caught the quarterfinal bus after escaping brave stands from Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee in the qualifying round of PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

The Chargers displayed composure down the stretch to pull off a 25-11, 23-25, 18-25, 25-15, 15-9 win over the Foxies to join fellow quarterfinalists Creamline, Galeries, Choco Mucho, and Petro Gazz in the next round.

Ivy Lacsina led the way with 22 points and four receptions while Eli Soyud and the returning Grethcel Soltones chipped in 14 and 11 markers each in the five-set thriller.

Trisha Tubu powered Farm Fresh with 23 points as Alyssa Bertolano chimed in with 13 markers of her own.

PLDT likewise had to survive an extended encounter against ZUS Coffee, shrugging off a first set hiccup en route to a gritty 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 26-24 win over the equally-motivated Thunderbelles.

Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee now get to fight for their lives in the play-in stage, where they will be pitted against fellow qualifying round losers in Chery Tiggo, Capital 1, Nxled, and Cignal starting on Thursday.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News