Akari Shocks Top-Seeded Farm Fresh, Shows Veteran Steel in Semis-Clinching Sweep

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by Raymund Tamayo

Akari Chargers
The Akari Chargers. Photo: PVL Images.

In a quarterfinal round built on tension, unpredictability, and the high-stakes urgency that defines PVL Reinforced Conference volleyball, the Akari Chargers delivered the night’s biggest headline, a commanding straight-set dismantling of top-ranked Farm Fresh, 28-26, 30-28, 25-21, Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.

If rankings mattered on paper, Akari shredded every expectation once the lights came on. The eighth seed didn’t just win, the Chargers played with the calm, layered discipline of a squad that’s been through too many big games to get rattled by the aura of a No. 1 team.

Head coach Tina Salak, who has seen every imaginable volleyball scenario in her time, summed their approach the only way a seasoned mentor can: total commitment from the entire roster. 

“Lahat team effort. Everything we worked on went into this match,” Salak noted, underscoring how Akari leaned heavily on structure, trust, and hours of film and preparation.

Akari Chargers import Annie Mitchem
Akari Chargers import Annie Mitchem. Photo: PVL Images.

The Chargers’ system clicked because their leaders showed up. Import Annie Mitchem erupted for 25 points in her strongest outing of the conference, hammering in the winning hit with such precision that Farm Fresh’s backline froze in disbelief. Her consistency in both offense and reception gave Akari a foundation the Foxies could never shake off.

Supporting her were Eli Soyud and Grethcel Soltones, both finishing with 10 points while carrying the emotional and tactical balance of the attack. In the middle, Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo punished Farm Fresh with sharp reads and well-timed counters, adding physicality that forced the Foxies into hurried decisions.

Setter Mars Alba was the steadying pulse, tossing 19 excellent sets and dictating tempo like a veteran conductor of tight-game volleyball. Meanwhile, libero Justine Jazareno was everywhere with 21 excellent digs, endless coverage, and a defensive performance so complete it earned her Best Player of the Game honors.

Farm Fresh, despite the brilliance of import Eli Rousseaux, faltered in the moments that define knockout matches. The Foxies’ inexperience in pressure-point volleyball surfaced at the worst time, misfires in long rallies, misreads on serve receive, and crucial errors in the high-20s.

Akari Chargers import Annie Mitchem spikes the ball against Farm Fresh defenders
Akari Chargers import Annie Mitchem spikes the ball against Farm Fresh defenders. Photo: PVL Images.

Akari, on the other hand, simply leaned on their miles. This is a core that played in the finals of this same conference last year and has been tested across college, pro, and international scenes. Their poise told the story: no panic when the Foxies surged, no hesitation when the sets tightened, and no cracks when momentum swung wildly.

The third set showcased the separation. Up by only one at 20-19, the Chargers uncorked a ruthless three-point run anchored by Mitchem, then capitalized on Farm Fresh errors before closing the match with a booming kill that echoed through the Big Dome.

Akari now heads to Thursday’s semifinals against the winner of the Creamline–Petro Gazz quarterfinal, carrying not just momentum, but the presence of a team that knows exactly how to navigate the heaviest moments of playoff volleyball.

In the Reinforced Conference, seeding guarantees nothing. Experience, however, still wins the biggest games. And Akari proved that in every rally of this stunning sweep.