Annie Mitchem drops 33 as Akari beats Creamline for the first time

Annie Mitchem owned the spotlight as Akari hacked out a 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12 against defending champion Creamline to open its campaign in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday.

The American import erupted for 33 points and 14 receptions as the Chargers stunned the Cool Smashers—the same team they fell to in last season’s finals—to officially open their Pool B campaign with a 1-0 record.

Mitchem didn’t suit up in Akari’s five-set loss to ZUS last Tuesday, but that match was recalled after the PVL decided to replay the opening-day games due to the delayed issuance of International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) from the PNVF.

Eli Soyud supplied the help with 14 points, highlighted by three blocks, while middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo chipped in 13 and 12 markers apiece in the match that lasted for three hours and 16 minutes. 

With Mitchem shining and the locals stepping up, the Chargers have beaten Creamline for the first time ever.

"Very happy doon sa result namin and of course, matagal na 'yung ancipition ng win against Creamline so it happened today, thank you to these ladies beside me and it was a team effort," Akari head coach Tina Salak said. 

"On point lahat ng nangyari. Creamline is the best team, alam naman natin 'yung, champion team 'yan but nakita din natin 'yung team namin on how to be intact, maging buo. 

Creamline got a 26-point outing from import Courtney Schwan while Alyssa Valdez flaunted a vintage performance with 18 markers laced with nine digs and 11 receptions, but those were not enough as the reigning champions got off to a tough start in their title defense. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News