Mika Reyes has always been known for her composure on the court, her quiet leadership, and her steadying presence at the net. But on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, she proved to be more than just a reliable veteran—she became the face of PLDT’s historic triumph.
Reyes powered the High Speed Hitters to their first-ever Premier Volleyball League crown, turning in a performance that not only carried her team through a grueling five-set finale but also earned her the Finals Most Valuable Player award.
And yet, the veteran middle blocker remained true to herself. Even with the MVP trophy in her hands, Reyes brushed off the personal recognition, making it clear what mattered most.
“‘Di ko rin talaga in-expect,” Reyes admitted with a smile. “‘Di ko rin narinig actually, pero hindi ko rin talaga in-expect. Ever since naman, I think mas importante talaga sa’kin ‘yung para sa team. Mas gusto kong makuha ‘yung championship than any other individual award.”
The 31-year-old delivered the game of her life when it mattered most, finishing with 20 points built on 13 attacks and a spectacular seven kill blocks as PLDT held off Chery Tiggo in a dramatic 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8 thriller. Reyes was unstoppable in the decider, where she dropped four crucial points to finally complete PLDT’s long-awaited breakthrough.
It was the kind of performance that perfectly embodied her journey with the High Speed Hitters—a mix of grit, patience, and unrelenting drive.
“I think ‘yung lagi lang sinasabi ng coaches, ng player na maging present talaga the whole game kasi hindi naman ‘to basta-basta ibibigay ng opponent. And kahit na two sets ahead kami, ‘di namin inisip na makukuha namin ‘to agad,” Reyes explained. “So sobrang thankful kami na kinapitan talaga namin ‘yung bawat isa.”
For Reyes, the championship carried a deeper meaning. Since joining PLDT in 2021, the team had been no stranger to heartbreak, often falling short of the podium with fourth- and fifth-place finishes. The road was marked by frustration and near-misses, but it was those very struggles that made Sunday night’s victory even sweeter.
“Sobrang frustrating talaga siya at the same time, ‘yung sinabi rin ni coach kanina na sa lahat ng mga heartbreaks na na-experience namin, hindi pa rin kami tumigil. I think ‘yun ‘yung nagpapasarap talaga sa championship na ‘to,” Reyes shared.
“Kasi kahit anong mangyari the past few years, mas naging motivation pa sa amin ‘yun.”
