PLDT, playing with superior cohesion, balance and confidence, rallied from a four-point deficit late in Set 3 to outlast Farm Fresh in a gripping extended skirmish, sealing a straight-set 25-18, 25-21, 28-26 victory to kick off its PVL On Tour campaign on a winning mode at the FilOil EcoOil Arena on Tuesday.
What initially appeared to be a smooth sailing for the High Speed Hitters turned into a stern test of their resilience and endgame composure. The team, composed of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, combined forces to secure the thrilling comeback in the third set.
It was a blend of attacks, clutch hits and exceptional blocking from all corners as PLDT surged from a 19-23 deficit. The rally was sparked by Kim Fajardo’s brilliant reverse 1-2 play, which caught Farm Fresh's defense off-guard.
What followed was the trademark PLDT rally, with Kiesha Bedonia scoring back-to-back aces, the first of which came after Farm Fresh miscommunicated on their second ball. Shiela Kiseo then scored off a block by Alohi Robins-Hardy that hit the antenna, leveling the score.
A Jolina dela Cruz attack error compounded Farm Fresh’s woes as PLDT grabbed the lead and moved to match point on an inspiring 8-2 run. Although Farm Fresh saved two match points and even gained their own set point on a Robins-Hardy 1-2 play, PLDT held firm.
Mika Reyes tied the game again with a running attack. A costly attack error from Lorene Toring gave PLDT another match point, which the High Speed Hitters sealed when Reyes blocked Caitlin Viray’s attack to cap the one-hour, 29-minute encounter between debuting Pool A teams.
"Nakaka-pressure na ipinasok ako sa stretch dahil dikit ang laban (It was nerve-wracking to be put in during the stretch because it was a close match)," said Bedonia, reflecting on her role in the crucial moments. "Pero iniiwasan ko lang mag-isip ng sobra at ginawa ko lang yung sinabi ng mga coaches, kung saan ang target namin (But I just pushed aside the pressure and did what my coaches instructed, focusing on our targets).
Bedonia finished with a game-high 14 points, earning her first Best Player of the Game honors.
"We prepared hard for this, especially since Savi (Davison) isn’t around," she added. "Kaya kami ni ate Jovy (Prado), doble ang effort namin both sa offense at defense (We worked hard for this, especially since Savi isn’t here. So, Jovy (Prado) and I had to double our effort in both offense and defense.”
Reyes finished with 10 points, while Prado contributed nine. Majoy Baron and Kim Dy combined for 13 markers, helping the High Speed Hitters edge Farm Fresh in attacks, 38-36. PLDT also bested Farm Fresh in blocks, 8-6, and scored three aces against their opponents’ four.
But the High Speed Hitters capitalized on the Foxies' inconsistencies, scoring 29 points off Farm Fresh turnovers, while conceding 19 of their own.
Trisha Tubu led the Foxies with 14 points, while Rizza Cruz added 10. Jolina dela Cruz and Viray chipped in with nine and six points, respectively. Despite a solid showing, Farm Fresh is still in the process of adjusting to their new coach, Italian Alessandro Lodi’s system.
With Prado setting the tone in the opening set, firing four quick points, the High Speed Hitters surged ahead, displaying sharp execution and composed teamwork.
They outhit the Foxies, 11-8, in the first frame and asserted their dominance at the net with a 3-1 edge in blocks. But it wasn’t just about individual brilliance – PLDT’s offense was well-distributed, with multiple players stepping up to contribute and keep Farm Fresh’s defense guessing.
Their cohesive play was further highlighted by their ability to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes, converting 11 points off turnovers. Though PLDT also committed eight unforced errors, they showed greater poise under pressure, rarely allowing momentum to slip.
In contrast, the Foxies struggled to find rhythm. Despite flashes of potential, Farm Fresh’s inconsistency and lapses in execution proved costly.
PLDT’s steady hand and confident play saw them seize the early lead and maintain control throughout, making a statement with a balanced, all-around performance that bodes well for its campaign.
Behind Tubu’s thunderous blasts and the combined firepower of Cruz and dela Cruz, Farm Fresh found its groove in Set 2, outgunning PLDT with 16 attack points, two more than their rivals.
But the High Speed Hitters capitalized on the Foxies’ continued struggles with rhythm and consistency, particularly at the service line, where Farm Fresh handed over eight crucial points on errors while PLDT yielded just two.
PLDT also maintained its dominance at the net, repeating its blocking edge from the opening set with another 3-1 tally.
Farm Fresh threatened to rally three times in the set, with Tubu firing back-to-back bombs to close the gap to 17-21 from 10-17. But a string of three consecutive service errors by Toring, Tubu and Dela Cruz squandered their momentum.
Cruz tried to ignite a final push with consecutive hits that trimmed the deficit to 21-24. But Reyes, ever reliable in clutch moments, sealed the set with a quick attack, snuffing out any hopes of a Foxies comeback.
