While PLDT kept its title defense alive, Farm Fresh effectively bowed out of the race with a 1-3 record, absorbing its third consecutive defeat after previously posting a four-set win over Ho Chi Minh.
Unbeaten Creamline (3-0) and second-running EST Cola (2-1) were clashing for the top spot, while Nxled and Ho Chi Minh, both sporting 1-2 slates, fight for survival in the other pairing – both at presstime.
The defending champions, anchored by Savi Davison's sheer firepower, recovered big from a third-set stumble by re-imposing their will early in the fourth to annex the one-hour, 53-minute victory.
Davison delivered a monster 32-point output, including four kill blocks and punctuated by a vicious kill on her second attempt to close out a fiercely contested match.
The High Speed Hitters showcased the poise and grit missing in their shock four-set setback to the Ho Chi Minh side on Thursday – a loss that had cast serious doubts on their title-retention drive.
Now back in the hunt, PLDT vows to go all-out when it collides with the powerhouse Cool Smashers in a make-or-break Sunday showdown.
“I think we talked in the dugout before and last night as well coming off a loss, and we kind of really needed to check in for this game today because it was a must-win for us,” said Davison.
The explosive open hitter complemented her scoring surge with a stellar triple-double performance, registering 10 excellent digs and 14 receptions.
“So I’m just glad that everyone came ready today to play, and we, you know, we got it done,” added Davison, who doubled her 16-point effort against the Vietnamese.
Looking ahead to Sunday's high-stakes match, Davison expressed confidence in the team's ability to maintain consistency with the championship within reach.
“Hopefully, we come out more consistent these next couple games. We have two more, hopefully two more to push through, and then, you know, hopefully defending champions. I’m not going to jinx it, but hopefully, fingers crossed,” she said.
Facing elimination in the third frame, Farm Fresh regrouped to stay alive behind clutch plays from Royse Tubino and Ces Molina to briefly keep the Foxies' campaign alive.
After Farm Fresh built an early 8-4 lead, PLDT managed to tie the frame at 13 before the Foxies regained control, with Molina hammering down the decisive kill at 24-23 to delay PLDT's celebration before the High Speed Hitters decisively shut the door in the fourth.
Kim Dy followed up her 25-point explosion against Ho Chi Minh with a 15-point effort, including four blocks. Majoy Baron contributed eight points, while Mika Reyes and Jovie Prado added seven and five, respectively.
PLDT dominated Farm Fresh in attacks, 57-41. However, the Foxies controlled the net with 13 blocks – two more than the High Speed Hitters – led by Molina and Riri Meneses, who had three each.
PLDT capitalized on Farm Fresh's shaky reception, scoring six service aces while allowing only three. This helped offset PLDT's erratic play, which saw the High Speed Hitters give up 26 errors compared to the Foxies' 24.
Kim Fajardo anchored PLDT's offense with 26 excellent sets. In contrast, her Farm Fresh counterpart, Alohi Robins-Hardy, struggled with just nine sets in her return to the squad.
Farm Fresh drew 12 points from Molina and 11 from Tubino. The Foxies scrambled for offense after top scorer Trisha Tubu exited the match following a five-point performance in the first two sets.
Rookie Jonna Perdido scored seven points, Mylene Paat added six, and Ara Galang and Meneses finished with five and four points, respectively, for the Foxies, who will wrap up their campaign against the Nxled Chameleons on Sunday.
