PLDT endured nothing but pain and heartbreak in its first 10 conferences in the Premier Volleyball League, but now the High Speed Hitters have finally arrived — and they don’t look ready to stop winning anytime soon.
Once a team that struggled to break through, PLDT has suddenly become the league’s newest powerhouse, bagging back-to-back titles in just two weeks.
On Sunday night, before a roaring crowd inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the High Speed Hitters clawed their way back from a sluggish start. They toppled Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University, 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18, capturing the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference crown and raising another championship trophy.
The win capped a flawless 5-0 run for PLDT in the Invitational, coming on the heels of their perfect 8-0 sweep of the PVL On Tour earlier this month. After years of frustration, the once-struggling franchise is now redefining itself as a legitimate contender built to last.
But make no mistake — the victory wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggests.
Kobe Shinwa, a youthful but highly-skilled Japanese collegiate squad, came out swinging with poise and confidence. Their trademark speed, crisp ball movement, and disciplined defense caught PLDT off guard in the opening frame.
Behind the composed setting of Sakura Furuta and the attacking brilliance of Nagisa Komatsuda and Kokoro Yasuma, the Japanese carved out a 25-21 stunner to open the Finals.
(C) PVL Images
“They’re a really good team, they really challenged us,” admitted Fil-Canadian star Savannah Davison. “This is probably one of the hardest games we played all year. Congrats to them as well, but I couldn’t be any more proud how we came out today.”
Kobe Shinwa pushed PLDT to its limits with relentless speed and technical precision. The Japanese even outgunned the High Speed Hitters in attacks, 71-58, but their downfall came in costly errors — committing 30 compared to PLDT’s 18 — many at the most crucial points of the match.
The Finals’ pivotal moment came in the second set, which turned into an instant classic. Both squads battled in a furious, heart-stopping frame that featured blistering spikes, airtight defense, and a lung-busting rally that stretched over a minute — the longest of the entire Invitational.
Each side fended off multiple set points. Komatsuda and Ishikawa powered Kobe Shinwa to the brink of a 2-0 lead, but PLDT refused to fold. Anchored by the defensive heroics of Kath Arado and the poise of Davison, the High Speed Hitters clawed back, finally sealing the set on Yasuma’s long attack, 31-29.
That escape lit a fire under PLDT. With the match tied, momentum shifted squarely in their favor.
“Coming into this game, we knew that if they gave us an opportunity, we had to take it,” said Davison, who once again spearheaded PLDT’s offense with 20 points, nine digs, and 18 receptions.
And the Conference MVP wasn’t alone.
Kim Dy produced a solid all-around effort, including the emphatic block on Komatsuda that sealed the championship point, finishing with 17 markers. Rising rookie Alleiah Malaluan played with a maturity beyond her years, chipping in 15 points, while veteran Mika Reyes added 12 crucial markers, highlighted by well-timed tips in tight situations.
Middle blocker Dell Palomata also asserted her presence when it mattered most, sparking a decisive fourth-set surge with quick attacks that helped PLDT pull away, 17-12. From there, the High Speed Hitters never looked back.
(C) PVL Images
But the true anchor of PLDT’s triumph was libero Arado, whose steady hands and fearless floor defense stood out in the most chaotic rallies. Arado tallied 22 excellent digs and earned the Finals MVP plum — cementing her status as the backbone of the High Speed Hitters’ championship drive.
“Sobrang happy and proud — lahat ng sacrifices namin paid off,” Arado said. “We’re really thankful sa lahat ng supporters namin.”
Komatsuda led all scorers with 22 points, while Yasuma added 14 for the Japanese. Miyazaki, Yamano, and Ishikawa combined for 27 points in a balanced showing.
However, the young squad faltered under pressure in the final two sets, unable to sustain the composure that had fueled their surprising run to the Finals.
(C) PVL Images
Still, their silver-medal finish remains a historic achievement for a collegiate team competing against pros.
For PLDT, however, the victory signaled a new era.
In just two weeks, the High Speed Hitters transformed from perennial heartbreakers into back-to-back champions, completing a sweep of both tournaments they joined. Their turnaround was fueled by resilience, depth, and the unwavering leadership of their core players.
No longer content to play catch-up in the league’s power race, PLDT has arrived with authority — and with their newfound winning pedigree, they look ready to stay on top for a long time.
