PLDT bounced back from a shutout loss to Petro Gazz with a lopsided victory over Capital1, 25-13, 25-15, 25-16, propelling the High Speed Hitters to a provisional solo fourth spot in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference prelims at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan Saturday.
The High Speed Hitters capitalized on their determined effort to recover from a recent setback that snapped a two-game run, dominating the Solar Spikers with their experience and court strategy, leading to key hits from the wings while thwarting several Capital1 attacks from the onset.
Despite a brief slowdown and trailing in the third set, PLDT unleashed a strong finishing kick to complete the rout in 76 minutes.
It was the High Speed Hitters’ third win against a loss, positioning themselves within striking distance of the Creamline Cool Smashers, Choco Mucho Flying Titans and Cignal HD Spikers, all unbeaten in three games.
Savi Davison spearheaded another PLDT offensive onslaught with 22 points, including 19 on attacks, while Fiola Ceballos added 10 markers, including three straight points that capped a five-point binge that turned a 6-7 deficit into a four-point lead in the third set.
Although Capital1 fought back and narrowed the game to two points twice, the last at 13-15 on a Dell Palomata attack error following a spectacular save by the Solar Spikers, PLDT pounced on Jorelle Singh’s flawed assault, scoring five consecutive points to pull away again.
Kiesha Bedonia then took charge at the finish, scoring all her three points, including two kills and a block.
“The girls bring a lot of energy during game day and it’s good to feed off them,” said Davison, who also contributed nine excellent digs.
Rhea Dimaculangan exhibited near-precision plays and finished with 12 excellent sets and two points while Kath Arado anchored the team’s defense with 13 excellent digs and six receptions.
PLDT, which got six points from Erika Santos and five markers from Palomata, finished with 47 spikes, 20 more than Capital1. With Davison and Palomata producing two blocks each, the High Speed Hitters controlled the net with eight against the Solar Spikers' lone block.
PLDT also scored five aces while giving up one.
Coach Rald Ricafort expressed satisfaction with the win, emphasizing the contributions of his role players and the team’s consistency. He also highlighted the importance of handling pressure effectively in both training and games.
“We’re happy with the win, happy na naka-contribute ulit yung mga role players namin," said Ricafort, who also drew four points from Kim Fajardo, three from Jules Samonte and two apiece from Majoy Baron and Rachel Austero.
“Skills-wise, hindi masyado yung sa adjustment pero yung maging mas consistent. Hindi kasi napa-practice yung pressure eh. So binabanggit ko sa kanila na pati yun kailangan dalhin sa training para naha-handle nang maayos sa game,” added Ricafort.
Capital1, which came into the match with optimism following a breakthrough win over Strong Group, struggled in both offense and defense in the first two sets but put up a strong stand majority of the third frame. Communication lapses, however, hindered their efforts, resulting in a third defeat in four starts in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
Heather Guino-o and Sydney Niegos showed the way for Capital1 with six points apiece while Jannine Navarro had four markers. But Jorelle Singh, who topscored for Capital1 with 13 points in its four-set win over Strong Group, finished with just one marker in a two-set stint.
