MANILA – PLDT High Speed Hitters recovered from their first defeat in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-23 win over Farm Fresh Foxies on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Elena Samoilenko fired 22 points to go with nine excellent receptions for the High Speed Hitters, while Ilongga Fiola Ceballos supported her with 11 points and 10 excellent digs as the High Speed Hitters improved to a 4-1 win-loss slate.
Mika Reyes, Erika Santos and Mary Joy Baron combined for 20 points for the High Speed Hitters, which rebounded from their loss to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last week.
Despite the Foxies keeping the match close at 22-23 in the third set, they committed a costly service error followed by a Samoilenko attack to secure the victory.
“Everyone is happy with the adjustments we’ve made, we really worked hard,” said High Speed Hitters setter Kim Fajardo, who produced 12 excellent sets and scored three points in the win.
“The connection within the team is great, both on and off the court,” added the former De La Salle University Lady Spikers playmaker. “It is important to have that cohesion and unity as we move on to the next round.”
Trisha Tubu finished with 17 points, while import Leny Murillo was held to just 11 markers as the Foxies dropped to 2-3 mark.
Meanwhile, Negrense Bernadeth Pons continued her fine play for Creamline Cool Smashers as they swept NxLed Chameleons, 25-18, 25-18, 25-20.
The former Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws star finished with a near triple-double of 13 points, 14 excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions as the Cool Smashers closed the Pool A assignment with 4-1 win-loss slate.
“We just followed coach Sherwin Meneses’ system and focused on executing what we practiced,” said the Talisay City, Negros Occidental-native Pons, who was named Player of the Game for the third straight time./PN
