PLDT High Speed Hitters during a win over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–PLDT forged a quarterfinals matchup against Choco Mucho in the PVL All-Filipino Conference after beating ZUS Coffee, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 26-24, Tuesday night at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
“Credits sa ZUS, kay nila coach Jerry (Yee). Talagang nagpakita sila ng ibang match up ng ibang ikot, talagang nagulat kami ng first (set) pero at least naka-recover kami, nakapag-perform kami ng end game nung fourth set. Yun ang importante,” coach Rald Ricafort said.
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Savi Davison matched her career-best with 34 points on top of 11 excellent receptions for the High Speed Hitters, who regrouped after a slow start.
READ: PVL: Streaking PLDT claims No. 4 with win over ZUS
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, Savi Davison, and Kim Fajardo after reaching the quarterfinals. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/2RY7K2KdV0
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 4, 2025
“I think it was just a mentality shift from preliminaries to quarterfinals. Our coach told the team earlier that it’s a long road from here [from] the championship. So it’s best for our team to set a standard. Hopefully, we move all the way up from here,” Davison said.
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Erika Santos helped with 13 points, Kath Arado and Fiola Ceballos were present on defense with 16 and 11 excellent digs, respectively.
Kim Fajardo stepped up in the absence of Angge Alcantara, who was sidelined in the opening frame, with 15 excellent sets as PLDT advanced to the best-of-three quarterfinal round riding a five-game win streak.
“Nung una syempre, inisip ko si Angge, syempre nag-alala ako. Pero wala nang magagawa. So kailangang magtrabaho,” Fajardo said.
Neither team allowed the other to be complacent in the fourth set as ZUS Coffee looked to extend the game and PLDT hoped to put the game to rest.
READ: PVL: PLDT ends Creamline winning streak
Majoy Baron committed a net touch, Kiesha Bedonia sent a kill down the line before back-to-back points by Chai Troncoso, 21-22. Davison kept attacking as Mich Gamit sneaked a cross-court hit, 23-all.
The Thunderbelles were determined to force a decider but the High Speed Hitters proved to be the steadier team down the stretch with Davison, Santos and Ceballos delivering late.
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Troncoso paced the Thunderbelles, who dropped to the single round robin play-in tournament Pool A with Cignal and Capital1, with 20 points as Jov Gonzaga added 11 points other than 10 excellent digs.
Cloanne Mondoñedo tossed in 18 excellent sets for ZUS Coffee which will have a short turnaround time as it battles Cignal on Thursday.
