Its sweep bid imperiled by Gerflor’s mighty comeback, PLDT went to its combo play to complete a 25-18, 25-17, 26-24 victory as it primed itself up for what promises to be a frenzied, long drawn out battle for the second semis slot with Chery Tiggo in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Saturday.
Rhea Dimaculangan and Erika Santos anchored the High Speed Hitters’ recovery from five blown match points with Mika Reyes as decoy with the seasoned playmaker setting up a mid-frontcourt play for Santos that broke a 24-all count then feeding a reverse set for the former La Salle hitter in the ensuing PLDT attack to scuttle the Defenders for good.
But the High Speed Hitters will need more than combination plays and endgame savvy to neutralize the Crossovers after the former notched their second win in three starts to match the latter’s record for joint second behind first Pool A semifinalist the Creamline Cool Smashers.
PLDT and Chery Tiggo dispute the coveted slot in the nightcap of another four-game bill closing out the single round elims stage on Tuesday.
“It’s a normal game, we have played Chery (Tiggo) before. Excited kami sa mga bago nilang players. The challenge will be on keeping up with their game and be able to read their plays,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort.
Chery Tiggo, reinforced by former top UAAP players Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez from UST and Princess Robles from National U, bounced back from a shutout loss to the Cool Smashers with a five-set escape over the Akari Power Chargers and a straight-set win over the Gerflor Defenders.
The High Speed Hitters overpowered the Defenders in the first two sets despite the absence of two key hitters and looked headed for another romp in the third until the latter, behind the heavy jump-serving rookie Aly Bertolano knocked down points after points and rallied from 19-24 to force extension.
“We welcome those kind of situations, partly to test their composure. Happy naman at nakayanan,” added Ricafort.
He also credited Fiola Ceballos’ big 13-point showing, saying: “Proud kami ke Fiola. Mabigat sa amin ung pagkawala ni Jovie (Prado). Di lang skills ang contribution ni Ceballos, but also leadership.”
Prado sustained a knee injury in the second set of their 0-3 setback to the Cool Smashers last Thursdasy and is a doubtful starter on Tuesday while Me-an Mendez opted to take a rest in preparation for their crucial game against the Crossovers.
Dell Palomata finished with 12 points while Michelle Morente and Honey Royse Tubino added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the High Speed Hitters, who came away with 54 attack points against the Defenders’ 34.
Bertolano top-scored for Gerflor with 12 points in a promising performance for the young former UP Lady Maroon, who, however, failed to draw the needed offensive support from the rest with Carmina Digal and Janine Navarro ending up with seven and five points, respectively.
