The Akari Chargers finally broke into the win column in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour preseason conference, grinding out a hard-fought 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22 victory over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Saturday, August 1, at the Polomolok Municipal Gymnasium in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
After falling short in their tournament opener, Akari displayed resilience and composure against one of the league’s perennial contenders, weathering multiple momentum swings to secure their first victory of the preseason. The Chargers leaned on balanced contributions throughout the match, but it was sophomore outside hitter Chenie Tagaod who delivered the biggest performance of the night.
Tagaod erupted for a game-high 19 points built on 11 attacks and six imposing blocks, providing Akari with a steady offensive option while also making her presence felt at the net on defense. Time and again, the young spiker answered Choco Mucho’s rallies with timely hits and crucial stops, capping off her breakout performance with the match-clinching kill.
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Moments after sealing the victory, Tagaod was seen battling cramps, a testament to the physical demands of the four-set encounter. Despite the discomfort, the second-year standout was all smiles after the match, revealing that her inspired performance was fueled by the presence of her family, who made the trip to South Cotabato to watch her compete.
“I played inspired today because my family is here to watch me play. I was able to see my father and sibling here. I hope I made them proud,” Tagaod said.
The victory carried even greater significance for the Mindanao native, who cherished the opportunity to shine in front of the local crowd. Playing before the Bisaya community gave her performance a more personal meaning, as she hoped to inspire aspiring volleyball players from the region.
#WATCH: INSPIRED AKO DAHIL NAKANOOD ANG PAPA KO 🏐
Chenie Tagaod played with extra motivation as Akari faced Choco Mucho in the #PVLonTour stop in Polomolok#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/V9X6Day97M
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/pkcFOzk2mF
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) August 2, 2026
“I’m very happy that I was able to show the Bisaya community the talent we have. To everyone dreaming of playing in the PVL, just keep making sacrifices and working hard. Your efforts will pay off,” she shared.
“We really worked hard in training, so we expected to perform well. As you saw, a lot of us were dealing with cramps, but we kept fighting until the end.”
While Tagaod stole the spotlight, Akari head coach Tina Salak emphasized that the victory was the result of a collective effort. The Chargers received valuable contributions from veteran leaders Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones, and Faith Nisperos, who helped stabilize the team in crucial stretches and guided the younger players through pressure-filled moments.
Salak also pointed out that the preseason tournament has provided the Chargers with an ideal environment to strengthen their chemistry, especially as they continue to adjust to playing without several key members of the squad.
Akari is currently missing Fifi Sharma, Justine Jazareno, and Mars Alba, who remain on national team duty with Alas Pilipinas in the Southeast Asian Volleyball Cup. Their absence has opened opportunities for other players to assume bigger roles, and Salak believes her team has embraced the challenge.
“That’s exactly what we wanted—to give the team valuable exposure, build chemistry, and continue growing together. The PVL On Tour has been a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better on court,” Salak said.
“I also have to give credit to our veterans for leading the team so well. Our stay here was definitely worth it. We gained so much experience and learned a lot about ourselves as a team and as individuals.”
The victory serves as an encouraging step forward for the Chargers as they continue to build cohesion ahead of the upcoming PVL season. With younger players stepping into larger roles and veterans providing stability, Akari hopes to carry the confidence gained from its breakthrough win into the remainder of the preseason.
The Chargers will look to build on their newfound momentum when they return to action against the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday, August 15, in Lanao del Norte, where they aim to secure back-to-back victories and continue their upward trajectory in the PVL On Tour preseason conference.
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