PVL: Akari, Nxled knock out Choco Mucho, Galeries to advance in next play-in phase 

Akari completed a brave stand and survived Choco Mucho in a grueling five-set battle, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16, 15-25, 21-19, to remain alive in the 2026 PVL Open Conference on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

It took the Chargers five sets and six match points in the narrow final frame to close out the game that lasted for two hours and 26 minutes and eliminate the Flying Titans from contention. 

Akari, which finished sixth after the preliminary round, will take on Creamline in the next knockout play-in round, where the winner will advance to the single-round robin semifinals. 

Ivy Lacsina showed up on both ends after detonating for 30 points laced with  27 receptions and 10 digs while Eli Soyud posted 18 markers, including the game-winning ace. Fifi Sharma and Grethcel Soltones chipped in 13 and 11 points each. 

Akari and Choco Mucho were deadlocked at 13–all in Set 5 after Sisi Rondina capped a grueling rally with a kill from the left wing, as neither side showed any sign of backing down in the high-stakes clash.

Another Rondina hammer off a successful challenge tied it all up at 14-all before Akari seized two consecutive match points thanks to steady contributions from Lacsina, 16-15. The Chargers grabbed another match point off a Sharma quick kill, but Kat Tolentino responded with a massive swing from the opposite side for another deadlock, 19-all. 

But Akari hung tough and secured the next match point before Soyud sealed the deal from the service deck.

Eya Laure paced Choco Mucho with 20 points, 12 receptions, and 11 digs while Tolentino and Rondina chimed in with 19 and 13 markers each. 

In the first game, Nxled swept Galeries with scores of 25-23, 25-18, and 25-23, moving further in the all-Filipino tournament. 

The core of the defunct Petro Gazz in MJ Phillips, Brooke Van Sickle, and Myla Pablo carried the load for the Chameleons as they set up a knockout match against fourth-seeded Farm Fresh. 

Phillips led the way with 17 points while Van Sickle and Pablo posted 14 and 10 markers each. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News