Akari zaps Choco Mucho in stunning sweep, claims 1st franchise All-Filipino bronze

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The Akari Chargers become the lowest-seeded team in PVL history since 2018 to claim a podium finish as they turn the lights out on Choco Mucho for their first franchise All-Filipino bronze medal

MANILA, Philippines – The Akari Chargers turned the lights out for good on the languishing and shorthanded Choco Mucho Flying Titans, rolling to a tight and stunning sweep, 25-15, 26-24, 26-24, to take their first franchise PVL All-Filipino bronze medal at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday, April 12.

With their second straight medal in the bag after a silver-laden 2024 Reinforced tilt, the seventh-seeded Chargers became the lowest-seeded team in seven years to take a podium finish, not since the defunct BanKo Perlas achieved the feat in the 2018 Reinforced Conference.

Mich Cobb led the balanced effort with 20 excellent sets, helping Eli Soyud (18 points), Ced Domingo (13 points), and Ivy Lacsina (12 points) all reach double-digit scoring in just three sets played.

Grethcel Soltones, meanwhile, lived on the defensive end as she offset her 6-point tally with 18 digs and 17 excellent receptions.

Already reeling after a failed comeback from 6 points down in the second set, Choco Mucho still poured its heart into a third-frame rally from down 20-16 into a 22-all tie after a Lacsina error.

Akari rolled to match point, 24-22, but the Titans again barreled back with a Sisi Rondina hammer and another Lacsina miscue for the 24-all tie.

After multiple late errors, Lacsina at last redeemed herself when it mattered most, following up a Soyud block-breaker, 25-24, with a cross court hit that sailed to the crowd off the reception for the emotional and historic medal win for the rising Akari franchise.

Rondina paced the heartbreaking loss after Choco Mucho once led in the statistical tally for bronze with 14 points. – Rappler.com