ANTIPOLO – Majoy Baron’s familiarity with her former La Salle teammates proved crucial in PLDT’s stunning five-set victory over previously unbeaten Creamline on Saturday night.
Baron stepped up in the decisive set as the High Speed Hitters ended the Cool Smashers’ 19-game winning streak with a thrilling 30-28, 25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 16-14 triumph in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center here.
The 6-foot middle blocker felt a wave of nostalgia in the fifth set as she shared the floor with former Lady Archers Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, and Kianna Dy — reigniting the chemistry they built during their championship years with the green and white.
The quartet, who won a UAAP title together in Season 78, delivered in the clutch, setting the stage for Savannah Davison to put the finishing touches on the dramatic win.
(C) PVL Images
“Yung pagpasok ni Ate Kim and Kianna siguro malaking bagay din kasi for me, may connection talaga ako kay Ate Kim, and alam niya kelan ako gagamitin. Lagi lang ako ready dun,” said Baron after the match.
With PLDT trailing 8-5 in the fifth set, Erika Santos, another former La Salle standout, fired a cross-court kill.
Fajardo, who checked in alongside Dy, then delivered back-to-back, perfectly timed sets to Baron, who converted both plays.
Dy followed it up with a clutch block on Jema Galanza, capping a 4-0 run that tied the game at 9-all and shifted the momentum in PLDT’s favor.
That surge gave the High Speed Hitters the boost they needed to finally put away the defending champions in a grueling two-hour, 38-minute showdown.
Baron, who finished with 15 points on 12 attacks and three kill blocks, took pride in the team’s resilience and collective effort.
“Ako, proud ako sa teamwork namin today kasi lahat talaga tulong-tulong kami. Ang quality ng mga rallies at ng laro,” she said.
