PLDT High Speed Hitters during a victory over Kobe Shinwa University in the PVL Invitational Conference.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–PLDT continued their streak of brilliance, overcoming early stumbles to sweep Kobe Shinwa University, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, and zero in on the first 2025 PVL Invitational Conference Finals slot on Monday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Despite the straight-sets result, the High Speed Hitters had to claw back from deficits behind their composure and experience to hold off the young Japanese squad.
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PLDT’s blocking stood tallest when it mattered most – at match point. With the High Speed Hitters finally surging ahead at 24-23 on a Savi Davison crafty swipe past two defenders, Kobe Shinwa tried to force a deuce.
But PLDT’s net defense stepped up once again, successfully slowing down back-to-back attacks from the Japanese side. The sequence set up middle Mika Reyes, who calmly executed a quick kill – eerily similar to her first-set finisher – to seal the match in one hour and 18 minutes for a 4-0 mark.
PLDT asserted its dominance at the net with an imposing 11 blocks – far outclassing Kobe Shinwa’s lone rejection. The High Speed Hitters also outgunned their opponents with 51 attack points, seven more than the Japanese, and capitalized on miscues, scoring 17 free points off Kobe Shinwa’s unforced errors while limiting their own to just nine.
“We knew that we had to respect their game and their solid floor defense,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort in Filipino.
“That’s why we reminded the team about being patient and our previous challenges. We’re happy we’re able to get a win over Japan,” he added.
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Veteran playmaker Kim Fajardo said there was nothing extraordinary about their latest triumph – their third consecutive straight-sets win in the Invitational and 11th overall, dating back to their breakthrough PVL On Tour title conquest.
“We just did our jobs. We showed discipline and we respected our opponents,” said Fajardo, whose 20 excellent sets earned her the Best Player of the Game award.
“We have the momentum on our side and I hope we carry it over to our next games,” added Fajardo, who also chipped in four points, all in the opening set.
Kobe Shinwa looked well on its way to forcing a fourth set after taking a 22-19 cushion. But just when momentum seemed to shift for good, PLDT found another gear. A costly service error by the Japanese opened the door, and the High Speed Hitters stormed through it.
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Reyes, ever reliable at crunch time, scored back-to-back quick hits – the second coming after a long, tense rally – to level the score at 22. Though Kobe Shinwa momentarily regained the lead off an over-received ball by Kath Arado that Komatsuda swiftly converted, the High Speed Hitters refused to fold.
Malaluan answered with a well-placed off-speed shot to tie it once more. Then came Davison, who delivered a smart, angled swipe that left the Japanese defense scrambling. Under immense pressure from their composed and undefeated rivals, Kobe Shinwa faltered in the final moments, as PLDT completed yet another stunning comeback to close out the match.
Davison topscored with 17 points, while Malaluan and Reyes backed her up with solid 12 and 11 points, respectively. Majoy Baron and Kim Dy also contributed with six and five points, respectively.
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The High Speed Hitters’ victory also overshadowed a 21-point outburst from Komatsuda, who scored almost at will for Kobe Shinwa. Arisu Ishikawa added eight points, while Kokomo Yasuma, Yuia Yamano and Reira Miyazaki each tallied seven points for the Japanese side, which fell to a 1-1 record following an impressive sweep of ZUS Coffee in its opening match.