ANTIPOLO CITY — PLDT clawed back from a six-point hole late in the third set to complete a sweep of Galeries Tower, 27-25, 25-22, 25-23, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center here on Tuesday.
Banking on the strong play of France Ronquillo, the Highrisers were able to establish a 21-15 lead in the third frame, threatening to extend the game.
However, Savi Davison exploded for five points in the High Speed Hitters’ 10-2 finishing kick, securing the straight-sets victory in one hour and 43 minutes.
Jovie Prado and Dell Palomata also contributed to that blast, while Galeries Tower helped with three errors.
Despite pulling off the comeback, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort lamented the sudden drop in their play during the third set.
(C) PVL Images
“Hindi dapat umabot sa ganon eh, yung maghahabol pa kami ng malaki kung nacontrol namin yung start pa lang. Ang reminders ko sa kanila katulad nung sa Nxled, hindi porket nag-up na kami ng 2-0 medyo may complacency. Hindi nila sinasadya pero nasosobrahan siguro yung pagkarelax. Yung mga ganong runs, happy kami na nakuha pa rin namin pero kung maiiwasan sana, mas magawan namin ng paraan next time,” said Ricafort.
The High Speed Hitters rose to 2-0, joining Akari atop the 12-team field in the conference, which will run until April 2025.
Davison delivered a 28-point performance in three sets on 26-of-53 spiking, while Erika Santos backed her up with 14 points.
PLDT will be back in action next Tuesday against Capital1 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
(C) PVL Images
Ronquillo tallied 19 points, but Galeries, despite showing great potential in its games, sank to 0-3.
Jho Maraguinot also debuted for the Highrisers, scoring 10 points and seven excellent receptions.
Galeries Tower will have an eight-day break before facing ZUS Coffee on November 28, also at Philsports.
