PLDT weathered Bella Belen’s 28-point outburst to take down Capital1 in four sets, 25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17, securing back-to-back victories to open its campaign in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil Centre.
The top overall pick of the 2025 PVL Draft reset her professional career high, surpassing her previous 26-point debut against ZUS Coffee, and proved to be a constant thorn in the side of the High Speed Hitters.
Despite her heroics, the two-time PVL champions regained their composure and closed out the match—tying Nxled for second place with identical 2-0 records, both trailing league-leading Cignal, which remained unbeaten at 3-0.
(C) PVL Images
“Yun nga eh. ‘Yun talaga nilook-forward namin today na i-try talaga bawasan si Bella. Pero siyempre, credit pa rin sa kanya dahil nandun talaga ‘yung skill eh. Kumpleto laro, passing, out-of-system,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
The High Speed Hitters leaned on their trademark blocking to contain Belen, piling up 15 kill blocks in a grueling one-hour, 53-minute battle, with Majoy Baron and Kianna Dy anchoring the imposing front line.
Savannah Davison and Dy paced the offense with 20 points apiece. Davison tallied 17 attacks and three blocks, along with 11 excellent receptions, while Dy delivered 16 attacks and four kill blocks, on top of 11 excellent digs.
Baron chipped in 11 points built on six attacks and five rejections, while Mika Reyes and Alleiah Malaluan added nine and eight markers, respectively.
Kim Fajardo orchestrated the offense with 20 excellent sets, while Kath Arado anchored the floor defense with 18 excellent digs for PLDT.
“’Yun talaga una namin sa offense and defense eh. ‘Yun talaga gusto namin capitalize kasi kung kaya naman kunin agad sa block, better. Kung hindi, nandun naman sina Kath sa likod. So, happy kami na pati sa blocking gumana ulit kami aside sa mga scores ng wingers namin,” Ricafort added.
(C) PVL Images
PLDT will look to stretch its winning start to three games when it faces Akari on Thursday at 4 p.m., still at the Filoil Centre.
Meanwhile, the Solar Spikers absorbed their second straight defeat to slip to 1-2.
Belen finished with 26 attacks, one ace, and one block, along with 10 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions. Shaya Adorador also posted a triple-double with 13 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Capital1 aims to snap its two-game skid when it battles Choco Mucho on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the same San Juan venue.
