Akari weathers Choco Mucho third set comeback to snag bronze medal

Akari wasted an early third set lead, but braved through to pull off a 25-15, 26-24, 26-24 win against Choco Mucho in Game 3 of the battle for bronze of the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena. 

Eli Soyud led the show with 18 points built on 15 attacks and three blocks, while Ced Domingo and Ivy Lacsina chipped in 13 and 12 markers apiece. Grethcel Soltones had just six points but collected 17 receptions and 18 digs.

"Parang naisip ko ‘yung lahat nang nagyari ngayong conference so sa last point doon po nabuhos lahat," said Lacsina, who delivered the game-winning point.

"Siyempre para sa amin sobrang laking achievement ‘to para sa team kasi ‘yun nga po, last year nandiyan si Oli and then parang kailangan talaga naming mag-doble trabaho. Kaya sobrang sarap sa feeling kasi grabe ‘yung mga pag-aaway at lahat ng iyak at dugo, binuhos po namin dito."

The Chargers built a 11-6 lead in the final frame before the Flying Titans staged an uprising with Sisi Rondina soaring for back-to-back attacks and Lacsina committing a crucial error that had Choco Mucho tying the game at 22-all

Veteran opposite hitter Soyud then came up with an attack before Lacsina redeemed herself by unleashing a bomb on the left wing to clinch the match point at 24-22. 

Rondina's hammer on the cross and another costly Lacsina error then allowed Choco Mucho to force a 24-all deadlock. 

Soyud, though, went down-the-line on her opposite kill while Lacsina sealed it with an attack of her own that both of which couldn't be handled by Choco Mucho libero Thang Ponce. 

The three-set romp also gave Akari its second podium finish after claiming the silver medal during the 2024 Reinforced Conference. 

Rondina finished with 14 points and 10 digs while honey Royse Tubino poured nine markers.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News