Akari’s Eli Soyud during a PVL semifinal game against Choco Mucho.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Eli Soyud had just one message she wanted to get across when she gathered her teammates in a huddle.
“I looked straight into their eyes and told them not to give up,” she said.
The Akari Chargers heeded her prodding.
They outlasted the highly popular Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14, on Saturday night in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, gaining a head start in the single-round semifinals.
And they did so behind Soyud, whose career-high 37 points did not go to waste.
“I’m so grateful to my teammates for the trust that we gave to each other,” said Soyud.
And that trust parlayed into success on the court, as the Chargers rallied from four points down late in the deciding set to stun the Flying Titans.
Faith Nisperos eluded two soaring defenders and whacked a crosscourt strike to complete the Chargers’ come-from-behind escape act.
The Chargers stormed the court at Ynares Center in Antipolo City after the final points, which came after Mich Cobb emphatically denied the power-smashing Sisi Rondina.
“I always tell them (Chargers) that we should hold on to each other, especially in games like this. The next priority is to ensure our recovery since the (semifinal) games are held close to each other,” said Soyud, whose output included 27 attacks and seven blocks.
Creamline up
The Chargers face the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday, and the two-day break following Saturday’s crucial win comes as welcome respite.
“We will go back to planning and see the things that we [still] lack,” said Soyud.
Cobb tossed 23 excellent sets and had a pair of crucial blocks on Rondina, while Ced Domingo had 14 points built around 10 attacks.
After a shaky elimination phase where they won only five out of 11 outings, the Chargers seemed rejuvenated after sweeping through the quarterfinals opposite the resurgent Galeries Tower Highrisers.
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“My teammates always keep me motivated. Everybody communicates and gives their best [in] every game. We will not waste this opportunity that we have,” said Soyud.
