PLDT dominated early then withstood BaliPure's late fightback in the next two sets to snap its skid with a 25-20, 26-24, 25-22 victory in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.
Middle blocker Mika Reyes came away with 11 hits, including three block points, as she anchored the High Speed Hitters' one-hour, 34-minute romp in a duel of winless teams in Group B play of the two-pool, nine-team tournament.
"It's tough (to play) coming off two losses. Personally, there were some doubts but it's a good thing that we went through (that process), since there's still a lot to adjust, particularly on team chemistry," said Reyes.
Toni Rose Basas added eight points, the last piercing through two BaliPure defenders that wrapped up the match, while Dell Palomata also finished with eight points, and Fiola Ceballos and Julianne Samonte chipped in seven points apiece for PLDT, which dropped its first two matches to Creamline and Petro Gazz.
With a 1-2 card to close out the single round elims, PLDT will face either F2 Logistics or Choco Mucho in the knockout quarterfinal phase with coach George Pascua expressing his concerns more on toughening up her wards than their next opponent.
"I always tell them that it's not a question of skills, but of character," said Pascua. "We did have a very short preparation but it's not a reason for us not to perform well."
"We can't choose our opponent but this win is a big morale-boost," he added.
Despite its third straight defeat, BaliPure still made it to the next phase although at No. 8, the Water Defenders will need two victories to topple the Cignal HD, which is tipped to top the five-team Group A after sweeping its first three games against Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics and Chocho Mucho.
Janine Marciano came away with 13 points while Jhoana Maraguinot pumped the bulk of her 10-hit output in the third set to help BaliPure close the gap. But the Water Defenders' rally fizzled out in the face of the High Speed Hitters' strong finishing kick.
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