PVL: Akari completes elims sweep; Capital1, Cignal take bigs wins ahead of QF

Akari showed just how serious it is to capture its maiden title, completing an unlikely elimination round sweep after blanking Farm Fresh, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19, in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. 

The Chargers displayed its depth with import Oly Okaro leading the way with 18 points anchored on 16 attacks and two blocks laced with nine digs while Grethcel Soltones and Ivy Lacsina provided the local support with 15 and 14 markers apiece. 

The win allowed Akari to finish the preliminary round with an unscathed 8-0 record while the Foxies fell to 3-5. 

Meanwhile, other quarterfinal-bound clubs Cignal and Capital1 eked out key victories over Nxled and Galeries Tower to head to the next round on a high note. 

The HD Spikers made quick work of the Chameleons, pulling off a 27-25, 25-20, 25-20 triumph behind a total team effort that saw reinforcement MJ Perez top-scoring with 17 points while also grabbing 10 digs and seven receptions. 

Veteran outside hitter Ces Molina and setter Angel Cayuna chipped in 11 and nine markers apiece as Cignal improved to 7-1 and remained at second spot behind Akari while Nxled dropped to 1-7.
 
Capital1, on the other hand, escaped Galeries in four sets, 25-13, 26-28, 25-22, 25-21, before heading to its first-ever quarterfinals berth in franchise history. 

Marina Tushova was in her element, hammering out 35 points built on 31 attacks, three aces, and one block alongside 19 receptions while Lourdes Clemente and Jorelle Singh shone for the locals with 14 and 10 markers each. 

Capital1 closed out its preliminary round run with an impressive 5-3 slate while Galeries remained winless at 0-8. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News