PVL: Akari arrests three-game skid, stops streaking Chery Tiggo

Akari found back its winning formula, shrugging off a slow start before eking out a 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20 victory over Chery Tiggo in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

The Chargers, who were coming off three consecutive losses to Petro Gazz, Farm Fresh, and Creamline, banked on the duo of Grethcel Soltones and Fifi Sharma to improve to 3-3.

The Crossovers, meanwhile, slipped to 3-2.

Soltones top-scored with 22 points alongside nine digs and seven receptions for an all-around outing while backstopping her was middle blocker Sharma, who posted 16 markers anchored on eight attacks, six blocks, and two service aces.

"Parang kasi ang mindset ko is alam ko 'yung role ko na kailangan ko lang ng receive at ng magandang depensa and sa points naman, hindi ko na siya iniisip," Soltones said.

"So every time na may darating na bola, ginagawan ko ng paraan. Pero ang  role ko talaga sa team is magandang first ball and depensa sa likod."

[My mindset was kind of like I knew my role, I had to receive and play good defense and I wasn't thinking about points... So every time a ball comes, I just had to find a way. But my role on the team is a good first ball and defend the back.]

In the first game, Petro Gazz pulled off a similar four-set romp over PLDT with a 12-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-20 victory.

Brooke Van Sickle formed a deadly troika with veterans Myla Pablo and Jonah Sabete in upsetting once-hot PLDT. Van Sickle dropped a team-high 21 points while also grabbing 12 digs and eight receptions.

Pablo posted 19 markers on 17 attacks and two blocks while Sabete chipped in 17 points as they soared to solo second with a 4-1 card. PLDT, on the other hand, dropped to 3-2 after opening their campaign with three straight wins.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News