Marina Tushova shatters own record in Capital1 comeback vs. Nxled; Cignal, Akari book QF slots

Marina Tushova needed just nine days to break a record she herself set, mounting a 49-point outburst to lead Capital1 to a reverse sweep against Nxled, 20-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-19, 15-6, in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.

The Russian import clicked from the field and dropped 49 points laced with 14 receptions to break the record 45-point explosion she tallied last August 1 against Choco Mucho.

Middle blocker Norielle Ipac and setter Iris Tolenada provided the local support with seven points each with the latter also recording 17 excellent sets as they came back from two sets down to stun the Chameleons.

Capital1 cruised to franchise-best three-game winning streak and improved to 4-2 while Nxled fell to 1-5.

Meanwhile, Akari and Cignal booked the first two quarterfinals slots after defeating Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh, respectively, to remain atop the leaderboard of the import-laden tournament.

The Chargers survived a thrilling five-setter against the Highrisers, 23-25, 25-15, 25-16, 22-25, 18-16, to remain unscathed through six games while the HD Spikers escaped the Foxies in four, 25-23, 28-26, 25-27, 25-14.

Oly Okaro took the scoring cudgels for Akari, pouring in 32 points anchored on 28 attacks and four blocks while Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones chipped in 20 and 13 markers apiece as they hiked their standing to 6-0. Galeris, on the other hand, slipped to 0-6 slate.

Cignal likewise emerged victorious with MJ Perez top-scoring the Shaq Delos Santos-helmed squad with a double-double of 25 points and 20 receptions while veterans Ces Molina and  Roselyn Doria chimed in with 14 and 13 markers each.

Cignal remains at the second spot with a 5-1 record while Farm Fresh dropped to 2-4.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News