Games Tuesday:
(Philsports Arena)
2:30 p.m. — Army vs F2 Logistics
5:30 p.m. — Creamline vs Petro Gazz
Newcomer Akari got its first taste of victory, routing United Auctioneers-Army, 25-20, 25-22,
25-22, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday.
The Chargers showed better connection compared to their debut game last week which ended in a stinging loss as import Prisilla Rivera got ample support from the local cast to hand head coach Jorge De Brito his first win in the league.
“The first win is always a good win. Of course, we’re happy because of this, we’ve been working all this week,” De Brito, who also handles the national women’s team, said.
Akari overcame a desperate run by the Lady Troopers in the closing stretch of the third set with Rivera smashing a backrow kill to push the Chargers at match point, 24-21.
Ezra Madrigal sent her serve long in the next play before Lycha Ebon pounded a crosscourt hit — her only point in the match — to end the one-hour,35-minute match.
“We’re working hard to try to find our first victory and the guys really deserve this. I’m really proud of them and we’ll be ready for the next,” De Brito said.
Rivera, a three-time Olympian from the Dominican Republic, smashed all of her 25 points off attacks and was also active on floor defense with 11 digs for Akari, which bounced back mightily from a four-set defeat at the hands of Cignal.
Janine Marciano scored 10 points and had 15 excellent receptions for the Chargers, who outgunned the Lady Troopers, 51-37, on attacks, while Erika Raagas got nine markers.
Army absorbed its second straight defeat in as many outings.
Canadian import Laura Condotta was the only Lady Trooper in double figures with 13 points while Jovelyn Gonzaga had eight markers.