The stars finally aligned for PLDT, and team captain Kath Arado could only feel grateful that they did — at long last.
After years of near misses and heartbreaks since joining the High Speed Hitters in the 2022 PVL Open Conference, Arado finally felt that elusive winning moment on Sunday night in front of more than 11,000 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Having battled injuries for years, PLDT entered the 2025 PVL On Tour in its healthiest form yet — and fulfilled its destiny. The High Speed Hitters ruled the league’s maiden preseason tournament by outlasting Chery Tiggo in an epic one-game finale, 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8.
“Sobrang proud lang po talaga kasi since Day 1 talaga yung sacrifices ng team, lalo na yung coaches, lalo na yung tutok nila every game, every team na makakalaban namin. Talagang hands-on,” said Arado, celebrating her first career championship.
“Sobrang proud kasi yung journey namin from scratch talaga eh. From injuries, parang hindi natatapos yung injuries, so ngayon kami nakumpleto. So sobrang saya ko kasi finally champion and kumpleto kami.”
(C) PVL Images
Despite having a loaded lineup with multi-awarded players, PLDT had long been hounded by untimely injuries, failing to secure even a single podium finish since entering the PVL in 2021.
In their first 10 conferences, the High Speed Hitters fell just short, finishing fourth or fifth in eight of them.
But patience and perseverance finally paid off in their 11th try — fittingly, in the first-ever PVL On Tour.
Kianna Dy made her long-awaited return after nearly two years sidelined by an undisclosed knee injury. Kim Fajardo also came back fully healthy from her own knee issues.
Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron dominated the middle, while Savi Davison returned from Canada reinvigorated and recharged.
Kiesha Bedonia and Jovie Prado provided the much-needed spark.
And at the heart of it all was Arado, who was also named Best Libero of the tournament.
“Sobrang grateful lang talaga ako na naging part ako ng team na to na sila coach yung kasama ko, mga teammates ko. Sabi ko nga sobrang proud na sila yung kasama ko na may suot nitong (championship) t-shirt na ito,” said the four-time PVL Best Libero.
“Sobrang grateful ako na nakuha namin na sila yung kasama ko.”
