ILAGAN, ISABELA — For PLDT’s Kianna Dy and Jovie Prado, the path back to the volleyball court wasn’t just about healing—it was about rediscovering who they are as athletes.
After months—years, even—of painstaking rehab, mental battles, and quiet work in the shadows, Dy and Prado finally shone under the bright lights of the Capital Arena on Saturday night, steering the High Speed Hitters to a statement win: a commanding 25-22, 25-15, 25-16 sweep of the Petro Gazz Angels in the 2025 PVL On Tour.
It wasn’t just another win to preserve PLDT’s spotless record. It was a night of validation.
Prado led the charge with 12 points and 13 excellent receptions—her best game since returning from a grueling ACL injury. Dy, steady and efficient, contributed 10 points in a performance that spoke volumes about her growing confidence.
“It’s an everyday process and ayun, improve lang kami nang improve sa training to get more feel of the court because we came from our injuries,” said Dy, who returned to action in January after 559 days on the sidelines. “And of course, with the help of our coaches and teammates na very patient with us and tinulungan din kami to get to where we are right now.”
The pair’s presence on the court has given PLDT not just firepower, but stability—an intangible value that head coach Rald Ricafort says is rooted in their experience and commitment.
But for Dy and Prado, the journey has been far from easy.
“Tiwala lang din kami sa process, sa katawan namin na coming from injury nga,” shared Prado, whose own return came after an extended hiatus from an ACL tear. “Last time nga nag-a-adjust pa, hanggang ngayon naman nag-a-adjust pa rin kasi matagal din kaming nawala. Tiwala lang din talaga kami.”
That unwavering trust in the process, as they both describe it, is what fuels their resurgence.
Ricafort, who has seen PLDT evolve from a team of rebuilding pieces into a cohesive unit with depth, praised the organization’s patience when it comes to handling injured players.
“Yun naman yung naging story ng PLDT — na nade-develop mo, may mga accidents na ganito, nagiging patient naman kami sa mga nagkakaroon ng injuries,” said Ricafort. “Pero ayun nga, mini-make sure namin na pagbalik nila, 100 percent na talaga sila. Yung patience na binibigay, nandoon naman palagi.”
And it's showing. With each match, Dy and Prado are looking more like the seasoned leaders they’ve always been, anchoring the team not just with points, but with poise.
Still, the High Speed Hitters are not at full strength. Key pieces are still missing, including explosive Fil-Canadian hitter Savi Davison, who has yet to suit up this preseason, and young guns Alleiah Malaluan and Dell Palomata, who are committed to national team duties with Alas Pilipinas.
“Habol sana talaga namin ma-complete kami — buong lineup — pero nag-u-up and down eh. Nung wala sila, iba yung nagpe-perform, nung nandito na sila, kulang na naman kami,” Ricafort admitted. “Goal sana namin na makumpleto kami... sana soon.”
