PLDT High Speed Hitters during a PVL on Tour preseason match against Farm Fresh Foxies.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA. Philippines — Kiesha Bedonia shone as a starter and led PLDT past Farm Fresh, 25-18, 25-21, 28-26, in the PVL on Tour on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Bedonia stepped up for the depleted High Speed Hitters, missing Savi Davison, who is in Canada but expected to come back mid-July, as well as Alas Pilipinas players Dell Palomata and first-round pick Alleiah Malaluan, to win their first Pool A game.
READ: PVL: ‘Star of the Night’ Alleiah Malaluan looks to shine at PLDT
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort and Kiesha Bedonia after a strong #PVLonTour debut.#PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/qvWtjbDwcU
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 1, 2025
The young outside hitter finished with 10 kills, two blocks, and a pair of aces that ignited their third-set comeback.
“Right from the start, when we got back, coach already told me to prepare myself mentally and physically because a lot of players had left the team. So I had to double my effort in training and also work twice as hard on my physical and mental preparation,” said Bedonia in Filipino after tallying seven excellent receptions. “I just followed what Coach and the other coaches told me, especially when it came to passing, defense, and offense.”
After dominating the first two sets, the High Speed Hitters crawled back from a 19-23 deficit, as Bedonia’s back-to-back aces ignited their 5-0 run to reach the match point, 24-23, before Riza Cruz blocked Shiela Kiseo’s attack to save a point.
Alohi Robins-Hardy scored a block and a 1-2 play to send the Foxies to set point, 26-25, but Mika Reyes came to the rescue with a quick attack, followed by Lorene Toring’s attack error to regain the lead, 27-26.
Reyes drilled the game-winning block on Caitlin Viray to seal their first win and finish with 10 points off seven spikes and three blocks.
READ: Coach confident PLDT will be better after AVC exit
Jov Prado had an all-around game of nine points and 10 digs. Majoy Baron and Kianna Dy had seven and six points, respectively. Angelica Alcantara paced her hitters with 20 excellent sets, while Kath Arado had 20 digs and 13 receptions.
“We’re taking this conference as a big challenge for us, especially since once again, we’re not complete. For players like Kiesha, we want to take this opportunity seriously because we all worked hard in our preparations,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort. “I just told them, ‘Let’s see how far we can go this conference.’ But we’re happy that everyone performed and that they were ready for situations like those earlier. We’re really happy we were able to execute.”
PLDT’s next stop will be in Ilagan City against Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho, who are tied at 1-1, on July 12 and 13, respectively.
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Tubu led the Foxies with 14 points. Cruz and Jolina Dela Cruz had 10 and nine points, respectively.
Farm Fresh seeks to bounce back also in Ilagan against Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz.
