For the first time in PVL history, the Akari Chargers finally overcame the mighty Creamline Cool Smashers in their 10th meeting by way of a razor-thin, five-set escape, 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12, at the City of Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite on Saturday, October 11.
The thrilling conquest marked a rousing reset for the reigning Reinforced Conference silver medalists, who saw their five-set loss against ZUS Coffee last Tuesday, October 7, nullified at the conclusion of the PVL and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s brief but fiery spat over import clearances.
American reinforcement Annie Mitchem led all scorers in the historic coup with 33 points off 32 attacks, while well-traveled setter Mars Alba tallied 21 excellent sets in her official debut for her third pro club.
The former F2 and Choco Mucho playmaker also helped three other players reach double-digit scoring in the win, namely Eli Soyud (14 points) and twin towers Fifi Sharma (13 points) and Ced Domingo (12 points).
Courtney Schwan, one of the PVL’s five American imports out of 12 teams, paced the heartbreaking loss with 26 points off 21 attacks and 5 blocks as returning three-time MVP Tots Carlos added 12 points after a six-month injury layoff.
In the absence of former MVP Jema Galanza, the PVL’s other three-time MVP Alyssa Valdez stepped up in spades with 18 points off 15 attacks, 2 aces, and 1 block, to go with 11 excellent receptions and 9 digs to barely miss a triple-double finish.
ZUS Coffee shorts Chery Tiggo EV as Mylene Paat returns
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee reaffirmed its nullified winning start with its “second” conference debut win: a four-set edging of the EV Crossovers, 25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23.
Young American spiker Anna DeBeer proved her worth and then some in her first-ever game outside the United States with a huge 37-point outburst off 35 attacks, 1 block, and 1 ace.
Captain setter Clo Mondoñedo again stuffed the stat sheet with 22 excellent sets, while rookie middle blocker AC Miner scored 13 with 3 blocks.
Cuban-Kazakh Yunieska Batista paced the loss with 22 points as Chery Tiggo also got a promising 6-point output off the bench from former PVL MVP Mylene Paat, who made a successful return after a 14-month layoff due to an undisclosed injury.
Ara Galang backstopped Batista with 15 points, while Jasmine Nabor steered the failed comeback attempt with 15 excellent sets as the EV Crossovers rallied from a 17-7 hole in the fourth before falling ever so short, 25-23.
