After 11 conferences in the Premier Volleyball League, PLDT finally secured its much-anticipated first appearance in a gold medal match.
The High Speed Hitters punched their ticket to the Final of the preseason tournament PVL On Tour on Tuesday, edging out the Creamline Cool Smashers in a thrilling five-set battle, 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After enduring heartbreak after heartbreak in their first 10 conferences of the country’s premier league, team captain Kath Arado feels this moment is the culmination of all their hard work, pain, and regrets over the past four years.
“Yun talaga yung nagpatibay sa amin eh, yung mga experiences na ganon, na ‘almost’,” said Arado after their two-hour and 26-minute clash with the 10-time PVL champions.
“Doon kami nag mature saka inaako naman ng bawat tao kung ano yung pagkukulang namin individually and as a team,” she continued.
With the Final berth secured, PLDT is now assured of its first-ever podium finish, despite the team’s competitiveness in every conference they have participated in.
In their first 10 conferences, the High Speed Hitters reached the battle for bronze three times but fell short each time.
They also placed fifth on five occasions, sixth once, and seventh once in the ultra-competitive PVL scene.
(C) PVL Images
With those many near misses in mind, Arado feels this accomplishment is destined, especially with their lineup at full strength — with Alas Pilipinas members Dell Palomata and Alleiah Malaluan as the only absences in this inaugural preseason tournament.
Kianna Dy, after nearly two years of recovery from a knee injury, is regaining her form in the location-touring tournament. The same is true for Jovie Prado.
Kim Fajardo is also fully healthy now, while superstar Savi Davison is refreshed after a vacation in her other home, Canada.
“Yung sa amin kasi talaga, sobrang thankful kami kasi kumpleto kami eh. Kahit nga sa training kapag kumpleto kami parang ‘oh eto na kumpleto na tayo,’” shared Arado.
“Sobrang saya talaga namin kasi siyempre isa sa hindrance talaga ng team namin is yung injury eh.”
PLDT will face Chery Tiggo in a do-or-die, one-off finale on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Arado and the High Speed Hitters are ready to fulfill their destiny.
#WATCH: Kath Arado in tears as PLDT makes their first-ever final appearance in the PVL 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#PVLonTour pic.twitter.com/bhKg4KnuIG
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) August 12, 2025
