Courtesy: pvl.ph
IN a test of stamina and resolve, PLDT emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against erstwhile unbeaten Choco Mucho, pounding out a dramatic 25-20, 25-12, 23-25, 11-25, 15-13 victory in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan Tuesday night.
The High Speed Hitters prevailed behind a captivating display of grit and determination, thanks in part to the heroics of rookie Kiesha Bedonia, who stepped up when it mattered most, delivering crucial hits in the decider, breaking deadlocks and rattling the Flying Titans.
Despite the valiant efforts of Sisi Rondina, who spearhead her team’s amazing comeback from 0-2 set down and 13-18 deficit in the third frame, Bedonia’s impact proved decisive. With nerves of steel, she seized the moment and propelled PLDT to match point – on a powerful baseline blast and a through-the-block hit that ripped through Cherry Nunag and Kat Tolentino’s arms.
Tolentino tried to extend the set and the match, but her attack proved long and the High Speed Hitters secured the emotional win after the Flying Titans lost their block touch challenge.
The win resulted in a crowded leaderboard as PLDT joined Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz, Cignal and Creamline at the top with 4-1 (win-loss) slates, setting the stage for a fierce, furious battle heading to the second half of the single round prelims of the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
Speaking after the game, PLDT’s seasoned playmaker Kim Fajardo emphasized the team’s preparation and sacrifice, attributing their success to hard work and grit. She also highlighted the importance of endurance and their ability to bounce back in securing the win.
“It’s all about our preparations. We sacrificed a lot during our break. Ang hirap sa training pero yung pagod namin, yun ang naging motivation para makuha ito (win),” said Fajardo, who clinched the game’s top honors with 22 excellent sets and eight points.
Savi Davison topscored with 21 points while Erika Santos provided a solid support of 14 markers with Majoy Baron and Dell Palomata also scoring eight points apiece.
Fiola Ceballos added six markers while Bedonia finished with four key points.
Rondina exploded for another 25-hit effort while Tolentino had 18 pints, Nunag contributed nine points, and Isa Molde and Maddie Madayag added 10 and seven markers, respectively, for the Flying Titans.
“Sa 5th fifth, pagod na pareho, so sino na lang ang unang titiklop, sino ang unang mapapagod, at sino ang talagang matibay,” said Fajardo.
PLDT dominated the first two sets, much to the surprise of Choco Mucho and its horde of fans, particularly after the High Speed Hitters surged to an 18-13 lead in the third.
But the Flying Titans regrouped and charged back, stringing four straight point to anchor their mighty comeback.
Sustaining their charge, they ripped the High Speed Hitters in the fourth set with a strong start on their way to forcing the second five-set game in the elims where Choco Mucho both figured in.
But unlike in their escape act against the Petro Gazz Angels last Feb. 27, the Flying Titans found themselves on the losing side this time.
Choco Mucho took three of the first four points in the decider but PLDT worked its way back and got its second wind with Santos’ back-to-back hits lifting the High Speed Hitters to a 5-3 lead.
PLDT held sway from there, allowing Choco Mucho to force a tie but never yielding the lead, pulling ahead on a Bedonia’s surprise baseline hit that made it 13-12. pvl.ph
