Historic Five-Set Thriller Sees Akari Edge Creamline in Dasmariñas
In a landmark PVL showdown, the Akari Chargers finally toppled the Creamline Cool Smashers in their 10th meeting, escaping 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12 at the City of Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite. The dramatic win marks a watershed moment for Akari as they snapped a long, painful streak against a perennial title contender, signaling that the balance of power in the league can tilt in a single electrifying night.
Key Performances Drive the Akari Victory
American reinforcement Annie Mitchem led all scorers with an emphatic 33 points on 32 attacks, anchoring Akari’s offensive onslaught. Setter Mars Alba, making her first official appearance for her third pro club, dished out 21 excellent sets, orchestrating a multi-pronged attack that kept Creamline on its heels throughout the deciding stretches.
Supporting Mitchem were Eli Soyud with 14 points and the twin towers Fifi Sharma (13) and Ced Domingo (12), whose efficiency at the net helped Akari weather late-set flurries from the Cool Smashers. The home crowd witnessed a balanced attack, with three other Akari players joining the double-digit club, underscoring the team’s depth and tactical flexibility.
Creamline Falls Despite a Strong Effort
Creamline, led by one of the league’s most dynamic scorers Courtney Schwan with 26 points on 21 attacks and five blocks, fought to the end. Returning three-time MVP Tots Carlos contributed 12 points after a six-month layoff, signaling Creamline’s resilience as they sought to defend their reputation as one of PVL’s most intimidating outfits.
In a match that featured high-intensity rallies and strategic swings, Alyssa Valdez stepped up in the absence of former MVP Jema Galanza, delivering 18 points on a balanced line of attacks, aces, and receptions. Valdez complemented her offensive output with 11 excellent receptions and nine digs, performing heroically but not enough to prevent Akari from clinching the fifth set when it counted most.
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee Keeps the Momentum with Mylene Paat Returning
On another floor of the league’s bustling weekend schedule, ZUS Coffee reaffirmed their own positive trajectory with a four-set victory over EV Crossovers (25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23). The result was particularly notable as it marked the “second” conference debut for ZUS, following a brief organizational standoff affecting imports, yet the team kept its focus and built on early strides.
American rookie Anna DeBeer exploded for 37 points on 35 attacks, 1 block, and 1 ace, delivering a performance that immediately established her as a rising star in the league. Captain setter Clo Mondoñedo supplied 22 excellent sets, guiding ZUS’s offense with precision, while rookie middle blocker AC Miner added 13 points and three blocks to the tally.
Chery Tiggo’s Yunieska Batista paced the losing side with 22 points. The match also marked a significant moment for Mylene Paat, who returned from a 14-month injury layoff and contributed six points off the bench, signaling a promising comeback for the former PVL MVP.
What These Results Mean for the PVL Standings
Akari’s victory over Creamline injects fresh excitement into the league, suggesting a more open race as the season progresses. The win demonstrates Akari’s capacity to execute under pressure and leverage a deep, versatile lineup against one of PVL’s grand calibers. For Creamline, the defeat underscores the need to recalibrate after a tense stretch and adapt to Akari’s evolving traps, as the Cool Smashers look to reclaim their elite standing in subsequent matches.
With ZUS Coffee’s steady performance and the return of Paat to competitive play, the PVL continues to deliver a mix of dramatic comebacks and fresh talent, ensuring fans can expect more high-stakes battles as the season unfolds.
