Oly Okaro and the Akari Chargers in the PVL Reinforced semifinals game against PLDT High Speed Hitters. –PVL PHOTO
Akari has completely changed the way it will be known in the PVL. And the Chargers can improve on that in two days’ time.
Becoming finalists for the first time, the Chargers are bent on continuing with the same important mindset that brought them where they’re at now, as they await a foe for the Reinforced Conference title match they qualified for after a controversial 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 nipping of PLDT on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
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“I think it will be the same… The never give up attitude,” coach Taka Minowa said of how they will treat the Monday match, set at 6 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum against either Creamline or Cignal, as Akari gets the chance to put the word champion beside the name.
Import Oly Okaro paved the way for the Chargers, turning in her best scoring output to date of 39 points coming from 35 attacks and four blocks as Akari extended its blistering winning streak to 10.
Ivy Lacsina was still effective with 19 points, all but two off attacks, even as Gretchel Soltones made sure that the Chargers’ three-sided battering ram was in play after finishing with 16 points that went with 12 excellent digs.
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“When players don’t have passing, that’s the time that we’ll really have a hard time,” Minowa went on. “But they (Chargers) can separate, because the mindset is still the same.”
Akari’s win was marred by a crucial unsuccessful net fault challenge in what would have been the game-winning point for PLDT, with the officials ruling for the Chargers to tie the game at 14-all.
Even with Elena Samoilenko dropping 30 points, the High Speed Hitters’ campaign was still cut short. Erika Santos helped with 15 attack points, while Fiola Ceballos added 14 points.
Title shot is next
Ceballos gave back the lead to PLDT after a smart attack that she pushed off the hand of a defender before Soltones tied the game again at 15-all. Soltones hit a clutch down the line that Samoilenko was not able to control as Akari took match point.
This win will be something that Akari will have to move past once the shot for the crown comes.
“That’s a good point to Akari,” Minowa said. “Past is past. Just focus on the next ball, that’s the most important thing for Akari,” Minowa said.
“So many emotions right now,” a teary-eyed Okaro said as she tried to process the mind-draining two-hour and 45-minute victory, where she and Lacsina emerged as the game’s best players.
“It’s unreal. I’m feeling so many things right now,” added Okaro, reflecting on the intensity of the match.
Looking ahead to the finals, Okaro remained focused: “We’re going to keep preparing and training tomorrow (Sunday). We’re ready, we’re hot, we’ve got the energy, so let’s see what happens.”
Lacsina, for her part, emphasized the team’s collective effort: “We really needed to give our best.”
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Reflecting on her first finals journey after moving from Nxled during the break, Lacsina added in Filipino: “It’s been so tough, especially being new to the team and everything that has happened in the past few weeks. This wasn’t easy.”