MANILA – Alleiah Malaluan continued her strong rookie campaign to help PLDT High Speed Hitters sweep Cignal HD Spikers, 25-19, 25-13, 25-22, in the PVL Invitational on Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The former De La Salle University Lady Spikers standout finished with 12 points, including 11 attacks, earning her a second consecutive Best Player of the Game award as PLDT improved to a 3-0 win-loss.
Malaluan, a member of Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team, earlier tallied 11 points, 13 digs, and nine receptions in her professional debut against Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
“It pushes me to raise the bar even higher, kasi alam ko my mates are there to guide me sa loob ng court,” Malaluan said. “They always assure me – every time I make a mistake, they tell me, ‘Okay lang, bawi ka.’”
Savannah Davison paced the High Speed Hitters with 17 points on top of six digs and seven receptions, Mary Joy Baron also hit double-digits with 10 points, including three blocks.
Kim Fajardo dished out 19 excellent sets, while libero Kath Arado stepped up defensively with 11 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions for the PVL on Tour champions.
Erika Santos the HD Spikers with 10 points, Ernestine Tiamzon scored seven markers, while Negrense rookie Jessa Ordiales and Ishie Lalongisip added five and four, respectively, as they fell to a 0-3 record.
Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo Crossovers (2-1) stunned Creamline Cool Smashers (1-2), 25-20, 24-26, 21-25, 25-17, 17-15, to keep their championship hopes alive.
Rookie Renee Peñafiel shone with a breakout performance, scoring 18 points built on 12 attacks, three blocks, and three service aces, earning Player of the Game honors for the Crossovers.
Kobe Shinwa University (1-0), on the other hand, debuted with a 25-14, 27-25, 25-17 sweep of ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles (0-1). Setter Sakura Furuta finished with 18 excellent sets to be named Player of the Game./PN
