PVL: Akari stuns PLDT in five-set thriller to claim Reinforced Conference bronze medal

Akari staged a massive fightback to upset PLDT and complete a 15-25, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 20-18 in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference battle for bronze on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Chargers, the eighth-seeded squad after the preliminary round, erased an early deficit in the fourth set before outlasting the High Speed Hitters in the deciding frame to salvage a podium finish in the import-laden conference. 

Annie Mitchem left it all out after going off with a 36-point outburst together with 12 receptions while Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo starred for the local support with 14 and nine markers, respectively. 

PLDT, whose three-peat bid failed after falling to ZUS Coffee in straight sets in the semifinals, gained early control in the fourth set with an 8-1 start to inch closer to another podium outing. 

PLDT even swung to a 23-21 cushion, but Soltones and Fifi Sharma connived to send Akari to a set point at 25-24 before Mitchem unloaded a hammer from the left wing to drag the High Speed Hitters to a fifth set. 

Mitchem hit another one to force a 13-all deadlock before an Eli Soyud ace saw Akari take its first match point at 15-14. But PLDT showed poise and grace with Savi Davison and import Anastasiia Bavykina fueling a 4-2 surge that allowed them to clinch their own match point at 18-17. 

A service error from Jov Prado, though, cut PLDT's momentum as Ced Domingo served an ace to deliver Akari's third match point, 19-18. 

Opposite hitter Soyud sealed the win, sending a free ball that slowed at the net and caught High Speed Hitters’ defense off guard, allowing Akari to claim its second medal.

Davison and Bavykina formed a one-two punch with the former top-scoring with 30 points and the latter pouring 28 markers.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News