PLDT may have kept its semifinal bid on track, but the High Speed Hitters know they must make significant adjustments and regain their top form heading into next week’s crucial showdown with Choco Mucho.
Against a Galeries Tower side already out of the semis race, PLDT had to dig deep and withstand a spirited challenge before pulling off a 25-13, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18 victory in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday.
The High Speed Hitters had expected resistance from the Highrisers, but admitted that lapses in focus and stretches of complacency allowed their rivals to force a fourth set.
Ace libero Kath Arado, who anchored PLDT’s floor defense with 22 excellent digs to earn Player of the Game honors, credited Galeries Tower’s defensive effort while acknowledging her team’s need to be more consistent.
“Credit to Galeries Tower. Ang ganda talaga ng defense nila. We knew they would put up a fight because we had watched their previous games and saw how well they played,” said Arado.
“We knew it wouldn’t be an easy game. But our adjustments, particularly with our service game, made the difference in the end,” she added.
The victory served as an important bounce-back for PLDT following its five-set setback to Farm Fresh last Tuesday. More importantly, it pulled the High Speed Hitters level with the Flying Titans at third place, both carrying identical 4-3 records and setting up a virtual knockout showdown on Nov. 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for a coveted semifinal berth.
Galeries Tower, meanwhile, slipped to 1-6.
With the stakes considerably higher against Choco Mucho, Arado stressed that PLDT must carry the lessons of its escape against the Highrisers into its preparations and avoid another stretch of complacency. pvl.ph
metrosundaily
