For two teams that endured grueling five-set battles in the quarterfinals, another extended match between Akari and Choco Mucho felt inevitable.
Despite the exhaustion, neither squad backed down in a dramatic Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinal clash that saw Akari pull off a 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 16-14 comeback win.
The two-hour, 15-minute thriller was filled with tension, resilience and a stunning finale that few could have predicted.
Down 8-12 in the final set, Akari delivered one of the most riveting turnarounds in league history, mounting an 8-2 run to silence the pro-Choco Mucho crowd at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The comeback began with Grethcel Soltones, who sparked the rally with consecutive points, including an ace that stunned Sisi Rondina.
Isa Molde momentarily stopped Akari’s surge with a crosscourt hit, but the Chargers stayed aggressive.
A pivotal challenge confirmed that Faith Nisperos’ spike grazed Deanna Wong’s fingers, keeping Akari alive.
Still, Rondina gave Choco Mucho a 14-11 edge with a powerful shot that seemed to seal the match.
Then, the tide turned.
A rare service error by Regine Arocha gave Akari a lifeline, and Nisperos responded with a rocket to Zone 5.
Michelle Cobb, who had earlier thwarted Rondina, blocked another attack to tie the score at 14.
With momentum fully shifted, Rondina misfired on a crucial attempt, handing Akari its first match point.
In the final rally, the Chargers defended a soft Rondina shot with ease before setting up Nisperos for the match-winner—a sharp crosscourt strike that clipped the sideline.
Akari erupted in celebration, completing one of the most thrilling comebacks in PVL history.
Eli Soyud led the way with a career-high 34 points, including seven kill blocks, and summed up the team’s resolve: “Kumapit lang kami sa bawa’t isa. Walang bibitaw kasi atin ‘to!” (We just held on to each other. No one let go because this was ours!)
Soyud, Soltones, Nisperos, Cobb and the rest of the Chargers now sit one win away from a finals berth.
Ced Domingo contributed 14 points, including three blocks, while Nisperos had 11, highlighted by her match-clinching hit.
Despite a quiet night from Ivy Lacsina, who had eight points, Akari got timely support from Soltones and Camille Victoria, who chipped in five apiece.
Cobb orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets and added two block points for good measure.
On the other side, it was heartbreak for Choco Mucho despite Rondina’s 29-point performance.
Royse Tubino added 14 markers, while Molde and Lorraine Pecana had 11 and seven points, respectively.
The Flying Titans fought off Akari’s rally in the fourth set to force a decider but ultimately squandered a 14-11 lead in the fifth.
Meanwhile, in a move to improve officiating standards, the PVL has enlisted two Asian Volleyball Confederation referees for the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference semifinals and finals.
Hong Kong’s Adams Wong and Thailand’s Sari Hmogmungmuang will alternate as first referees, supported by local officials.
“They will officiate most, if not all, of the remaining games,” said PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo.
“Mr. Wong will handle the first game, Ms. Sari the second, with local referees Ms. Joy de Imus and Ms. Jocelyn del Rosario assisting.”
Wong and de Imus will oversee the Choco Mucho vs. Akari match, while Hmogmungmuang and del Rosario will officiate the Creamline vs. Petro Gazz clash.
Malonzo emphasized the league’s push for fairness and excellence in officiating.
“These neutral referees have no team affiliations. This move reinforces fairness and our commitment to excellence,” he said.
Earlier, the PVL and Philippine National Volleyball Federation appointed PNVF Referees Commission Chairman Yul Benosa to oversee officiating throughout the season.
Akari also seized momentum in the swing set with another gritty comeback.
Trailing 15-19, the Chargers launched a furious rally behind relentless attacks and solid net defense.
Soyud delivered back-to-back kills, while Victoria denied Rondina at the net with a clutch block.
Molde’s service error tied the set at 23, setting up a tense finish.
After a fierce exchange, Tubino committed a crucial attack error.
Then Cobb delivered the final blow—an emphatic block on Molde to seal the Chargers’ dramatic victory.
Both teams recorded 13 attack points in the deciding set, but Akari’s six kill blocks overwhelmed Choco Mucho’s lone rejection, underlining the Chargers’ superior defense.
