Akari sweeps Petro Gazz, seals quarters berth

MANILA, Philippines — Akari pounced on Petro Gazz’s continued struggles and hammered out a 32-30, 25-22, 25-19 victory Tuesday that sealed it a place to the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League on Tour at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Ivy Lacsina spearheaded the attack with 16 points on 12 kills, three blocks and a service ace as the Chargers moved on to the knockout quarters, where they will battle the Cignal HD Spikers set Thursday at the same Pasig venue.

“I’m super happy because, somehow, our hard work is paying off and the system of coach (Tina Salak) is starting to come out,” said Lacsina.

“I’m super proud because we cried a lot in our three-wee training and it was all worth it and it gave justice to all the work we put in,” she added.

It was a heartbreaking result for a franchise that just won its breakthrough All-Filipino Conference championship a few months back.

But it was really tough for the Angels to adjust after playing minus practically their top two weapons in Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, who were out due to national team duties.

It was compounded by the recent departure of its Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara, who was temporarily succeeded by his top assistant Brian Esquivel.

Petro Gazz was the seventh team that made it through the quarters, next to Cignal, PLDT, Creamline, Nxled, Farm Fresh and Chery Tiggo.

ZUS Coffee and Choco Mucho are contesting the last ticket, with the winner tackling PLDT also scheduled Thursday.