AKARI, the only undefeated team in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, plays hard-luck Galeries Tower to open the second round of the preliminaries today at the Philsports Arena.

Enjoying their club-best start since joining the league in 2022, the Chargers hope to sustain their level of play in the 1 p.m. clash with the Highrisers, as coach Taka Minowa’s side is aiming to get past the preliminary round for the first time.

Now in her second conference with Akari, four-time PVL champion Ced Domingo attributes the impressive start to these significant changes under Minowa’s system.

Led by the prolific American reinforcement Oly Okaro, the Chargers have received solid support from locals Grethcel Soltones, Ivy Lacsina and Domingo, with Kamille Cal orchestrating the team’s plays so well.

“To be honest, I must say it’s really coach Taka and his system, and also yung mga nadagdag sa team naming mga players, like Ivy, Kamuy, Dani (Ravena), and Cams (Victoria),” Domingo said.

“Very big help talaga sila in this new Akari team. So, ayun, yun yung mga I guess major changes na nangyari and kita naman na it’s really working and everyone is trusting the system.”

The Chargers’ best finish was seventh place in the PVL’s last two All-Filipino Conference.

Akari (5-0), together with Cignal (4-1) and Capital1 (3-2) look to have the upper hand with their Pool B carryover records after strong performances in the first round of prelims.

However, reversals from Galeries Tower (0-5), Farm Fresh (2-3), and Nxled (1-4) can’t be ruled out. With the quarterfinals in sight, the lower-ranked Pool B sides are motivated to raise their game and turn things around at this stage of the tournament.

The HD Spikers seek to start another winning streak against the Foxies at 3 p.m., while the Solar Spikers aim to extend their winning run to three matches in the 5 p.m. clash with the Chameleons to wrap up the Pool D tripleheader.

On Tuesday, the top teams from Pool A – Chery Tiggo, Creamline, and PLDT – sporting similar 4-1 records, will take on Choco Mucho (1-4), PetroGazz (2-3) and ZUS Coffee (0-5), respectively, in tough Pool C.

The top four teams from each pool will advance to the knockout quarterfinal.

The Highrisers just continued fighting despite a winless first round, as proved by their couple of five-set defeat.

Thai import Chuewulim Sutadta has been a standout, but Galeries Tower needs to play consistent if it wants to keep its quarters hopes alive.