Mika Reyes is named Finals MVP after PLDT High Speed Hitters beat Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the PVL on Tour Title. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Mika Reyes picked the perfect time to unleash a career-high of 20 points, highlighted by a finals record of seven blocks, to deliver PLDT’s first-ever pro title.
Reyes drilled 13 kills, including the clutch hits in the fifth set, to help outlast the hard-fighting Chery Tiggo, 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8, in the winner-take-all final in front of 11,055 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: PVL on Tour: PLDT withstands Chery Tiggo for first title
“Honestly, I didn’t expect it. I didn’t even hear it at first! For me, what matters more has always been the team. I’d choose a championship win over any individual award, any day,” said Reyes in Filipino.
“I’m just super happy. I don’t even know the right words to describe it. All I know is that we’re all really happy, and we truly deserve this win,” she added.
Mika Reyes is named Finals MVP after PLDT High Speed Hitters beat Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the PVL on Tour Title. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
It was a fulfilling journey for Reyes, who transferred to PLDT in 2022, as they finally won their first title after several heartbreaks including a quarterfinal exit at the hands of Choco Mucho in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference and a Reinforced Conference semifinal elimination to Akari–a five-set game mostly remembered for a close call on an unsuccessful net fault video challenge.
“I think what the coaches and players always say is true, you have to stay present throughout the whole game, because the opponent isn’t just going to hand you the win,” said Reyes.
READ: PVL: Mika Reyes’ progress adds to PLDT’s growing depth
“It was super frustrating, but despite all the heartbreaks we’ve gone through, we never gave up. I think that’s what makes this championship even more special. Everything we went through over the past few years just became even more motivation for us.”
On the brink of another heartbreak after blowing a two-set lead, Reyes and the High Speed Hitters hung tight to complete an eight-game sweep of the On Tour.
“Even when we were already two sets ahead, we didn’t think it was in the bag. We’re just really thankful that we held on and supported each other until the end,” she said.
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Buoyed by her first PVL Finals MVP award and title, Reyes hopes to sustain their momentum in the Invitational Conference starting next week.