MANILA — The PLDT High Speed Hitters barged into the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference finals in commanding fashion, sweeping the preliminary round with a 24-26, 25-17, 25-17, 25-14 victory over ZUS Coffee on Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Savannah Davison once again starred with 26 points, 12 digs, and seven receptions as PLDT notched its fifth straight win of the tournament and extended its blazing streak to 12 matches, counting its unbeaten run in the PVL On Tour.
“I think the format of this whole tournament challenges every team, how to play back-to-back,” Davison said after being named Player of the Game. “We got a bit of a wake-up call early on but we came back and we were able to make it three sets straight,” she added, noting their early stumble in the opening set.
Kim Kianna Dy drilled in 13 points, while Dell Palomata and Mika Reyes hammered 11 apiece. Rookie Alleiah Malaluan chipped in nine as PLDT overpowered ZUS Coffee in attacks, 69-47.
Head coach Rald Ricafort praised his squad’s grit. “Siguro, yung reminders lang na ‘wag masyadong malayo ang tingin muna, yung respeto sa kalaban, yung complacency kailangan talagang tanggalin, saka kailangan talaga i-push kasi sagad na sagad na talaga yung mga tao,” he said. “Happy kami na, lalo with Dell (Palomata), na napakawalan. So may extra boost ng energy para sa amin.”
Wielyn Estoque tallied a career-best 15 points for ZUS Coffee, while Dolly Verzosa and Kate Santiago added 10 and nine, but the Thunderbelles slid to their fourth consecutive loss.
With the sweep, PLDT became only the second team after 10-time champions Creamline to accomplish multiple prelim sweeps in league history. The High Speed Hitters now brace for the gold medal showdown against either Kobe Shinwa University of Japan or the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on Sunday night./PN
