PLDT did what F2 Logistics achieved the last time out, beating an erstwhile unbeaten rival as the High Speed Hitters surprised the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-13, 25-22, 27-25, to tie the idle Petro Gazz Angels at fourth in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday.
Unlike in the Cargo Movers’ mind-draining five-set reversal over the Creamline Cool Smashers, however, the High Speed Hitters needed just three sets and one-hour and 37 minutes to halt the Crossovers’ win run at three and set the stage for a wide open race to the Final Four halfway through the single round elims.
It was PLDT’s second straight victory after dropping a five-set loss to F2 Logistics to match Petro Gazz’s output while dropping Chery Tiggo to a three-way tie for first with Creamline and F2 Logistics.
Mary Anne Mendrez stood at the forefront of PLDT’s attack for the second time, firing away 14 points while Jovie Prado and Dell Palomate came away with 12 points apiece and new recruit Michelle Morente and top middle Mika Reyes added 10 and six points, respectively.
Prado delivered the clincher in the extended third set skirmish, scoring on a clever drop ball that shattered the 25-all count then hammered out a kill to finish off the Crossovers, who saved two match points on a Cza Carandang block off Prado and an EJ Laure two-handed dump.
