By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
PLDT overcame Galeries Tower’s second-set assault and prevailed, 25-19, 19-25, 25-16, 25-21, to inch closer to a quarterfinals berth in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur on Saturday, Nov. 8.
It was the third straight victory for the High Speed Hitters, who banked on their rock-solid defense, to hike their win-loss tally to 5-1 at second place.
Anatasiia Bavykina and Savi Davison ignited PLDT’s all-around performance, pumping in 22 and 21 points respectively, including a combined 36 attacks from the team’s 54 kills.
While PLDT coach Rald Ricafort lauded the efforts of his stalwarts to recover easily, he commended Galeries Tower’s assertive plays, particularly in the second set.
“Maganda yung nilaro nila (Galeries Tower). Nahirapan kami sa service nila, tapos naging aggressive yung import,” Ricafort admitted.
“Pero yun naman yung lesson samin palagi: kung paano kami mag-recover sa mga ganung sitwasyon. At least, mabilis naman kaming naka-recover nung third (set),” he added.
Indeed, Galeries Tower imposed its will in the second frame, attacking the net at all angles and firing 18 kills compared to only 13 from the High Speed Hitters. The Highrisers also managed two blocks and two aces despite giving up four points on errors.
But PLDT quickly regained its momentum in the third, with Bavykina teaming up with Kianna Dy and Mika Reyes in fortifying its defense at the net to slow down Galeries Towers’ spikers.
So solid were the High Speed Hitters’ defense that they posted 15 blocks — four each from Bavykina and Dy.
Overall, Dy delivered 12 points, while Majoy Baron added 10 points. Kath Arado also took over the floor defense with 21 excellent digs.
Jelena Cvijovic and France Ronquillo each scored 15 points, even as Jean Asis and Ysa Jimenez added 13 and 12 points, respectively, but their efforts still fell short as Galeries Tower absorbed its sixth straight loss to plummet deeper into the cellar.
