By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Akari Chargers stayed alive in the hunt for the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) playoff race after import Prisilla Rivera’s historic performance against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 27-29, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12, in the ongoing Reinforced Conference on November 3, 2022.
Rivera broke the league’s scoring record set by Kia Bright of BanKo last July 6, 2018 and went off for 44 big points to help the Chargers notch their second win of the conference.
Her 44-point night was built from 39 successful attacks, four service aces, and a block to help turn things around for the Akari franchise.
The Chargers headed to their duel with a disappointing 1-4 win-loss record and were looking to salvage their import-laced conference to clinch a playoff seat.
Rivera was just laser-focused against the Flying Titans and tallied an unstoppable offensive run in the second set that brought them back into the game.
“I’m very proud of her. It’s not because of what I think. I think Akari brought her to shine here and make our league stronger so congrats to her, and congrats to her teammates that helped her. She’s amazing, she’s a three-time Olympian. Every training she comes to practice to prove herself,” said Akari head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
With the game deadlocked at 2-2, Rivera led her team in the fifth and deciding set’s comeback after the Flying Titans’ early 3-1 lead.
Once Rivera hit her signature down-the-line spike everytime she positioned in the left corner, the Chargers snowballed their way and banked on their import’s scoring momentum.
The Chargers raced to a 13-11 lead after a series of well-executed offensive plays shouldered by Rivera and Janine Marciano.
Choco Mucho had a chance to get within a point when the referee awarded the score to them in their attempt to block Rivera’s spike.
However, Rivera convinced Akari’s coaching staff to go for a challenge which they did and was successful after the camera review revealed that it was a block touch on Choco Mucho.
Rivera would go on and dominate the match including the game-sealing spike that gave the Flying Titans their third loss in five outings.
The Chargers will attempt to grab their third win when they square off with the PLDT Home Fibr High Speed Hitters on November 10, 2022.
