Of all the heartbreaks PLDT had endured, none was more painful than what happened on August 31, 2024 — a loss that also gave birth to its trademark identity, ‘Pusong PLDT.’
But redemption came sweeter than ever exactly a year later, as the High Speed Hitters secured their second consecutive championship on August 31, 2025, in what is fast shaping up to be a rising dynasty in the Premier Volleyball League.
PLDT rose to the top quickly and never let go. The breakthrough came in the maiden preseason tournament, the PVL On Tour, where the High Speed Hitters swept all eight games to capture their first-ever crown on August 17.
And they didn’t stop there. PLDT went on to sweep the 2025 Invitational Conference, capped by a hard-fought 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18 win over Japanese guest team Kobe Shinwa University on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, clinching their second title in just two weeks.
For veteran setter Kim Fajardo, PLDT’s 22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 24-26, 15-17 loss to Akari in the semifinals of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference was a tough pill to swallow—but one that forced the team to change for the better.
“For me, malayo na talaga,” Fajardo reflected on PLDT’s journey since that heartbreak, which dramatically turned into triumph.
“Yung nafi-feel ko kasi sa court before, parang medyo hindi naman tagilid, pero ano eh… Parang nabago siya ngayon na parang kahit na anong mangyari, hindi talaga susuko,” she added.
“Ganon na yung mindset ng lahat ngayon. Siguro yun din yung nag improve nang sobra sa team.”
The High Speed Hitters showcased that newfound mental toughness against the young and relentless Japanese squad, who took the opening set and even led early in the next two frames.
But now more mature and battle-tested, PLDT held steady to grind out the close second and third sets before sealing the crown emphatically with a 25-18 finish.
Fajardo and the rest of the High Speed Hitters didn’t just move on from last year’s heartbreak — they answered back with two championships.
“Super grateful. Sulit lahat ng pinaghirapan, lahat ng heartbreaks and pain,” said the veteran playmaker, who dished out 29 excellent sets and chipped in three points in the finals.
