Manila: Akari hopes to keep its winning form when it battles Petro Gazz on Wednesday in the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
According to Philippines News Agency, the No. 8 Chargers and No. 5 Angels clash at 4 p.m. with the winner securing the first finals slot. Annie Mitchem is expected to shine again for Akari after finishing with 25 points and 14 excellent receptions in their 28-26, 30-28, 25-21 victory over No. 1 Farm Fresh on Monday.
"Everything - from technical adjustments to small information, to feedback - all this came from our training. We went all-out, and we made sure that this wasn't Akari's last training," said coach Tina Salak. Last year, Akari reached its first-ever finals after winning 10 straight, but lost to Creamline.
The two-time champion Angels will bank on former MVP Myla Pablo, who scored 26 points in their 25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14 quarterfinal win over Creamline also on Monday. "It was our depth that helped us. Not everyone gets playing time, but everyone has to stay ready. And Myla did exactly that," said Petro Gazz coach Gary van Sickle.
Playing in the other semifinal match at 6:30 p.m. are No. 2 ZUS Coffee and No. 3 PLDT. ZUS Coffee beat Capital1, 25-14, 25-20, 25-18, while PLDT prevailed over sister team Cignal, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-2, to secure semis berths.
