PLDT High Speed Hitters claim their second consecutive PVL championship after ruling the Invitational.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — An emerging dynasty, PLDT put the PVL on notice after rolling to its second straight championship on Sunday night.
The High Speed Hitters fended off Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University, 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18, in a winner-take-all Invitational Final for another perfect title run at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: PLDT treating PVL Invitational Final as PH-Japan showdown
PLDT overcame the precise play of the young Japanese squad, which has an average age of 19, behind a relentless offensive attack led by Savi Davison.
Kianna Dy also rose to the occasion, backstopping the Filipino-Canadian hitter and nailing the championship-clinching block.
Just two weeks removed from their breakthrough title run in the PVL on Tour, the High Speed Hitters remained hungry for more, becoming the first PVL team to sweep two consecutive tournaments. The victory was PLDT’s 13th consecutive.
PLDT erased a 21-19 deficit in the third frame before Kobe Shinwa tied it at 22-all. Dell Palomata broke the tie with a quick attack before Davison’s ace and Alleiah Malaluan’s block put the High Speed Hitters on the cusp with a 2-1 set lead.
With momentum on its side, PLDT displayed its killer instinct in the fourth with Dy and Palomata giving their team a 17-12 spread.
READ: PVL: Savi Davison stays relentless in PLDT’s second title bid
Palomata and Malaluan, who missed the On Tour due to their Alas Pilipinas duty, pushed the High Speed Hitters closer to the title with a commanding 23-14 advantage.
Mika Reyes sent her squad to championship point 24-16, before Dy’s defensive clincher.
PLDT completed a second set comeback from a 21-18 deficit. Davison put the High Speed Hitters ahead twice before Kokoro Yasuma overcooked her attack that allowed the Filipinos to tie the game to one set apiece.
Kobe Shinwa finished the tournament with four wins and two losses–both at the hands of PLDT–including a straight-set loss in the preliminary round.