Coming off a loss to Chery Tiggo last time out, PLDT rebounded by stopping the rampaging Farm Fresh with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-23 win to seal the top three of the 2024 Reinforced Conference Pool A at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday.
The High Speed Hitters improved to a momentary solo first at 4-1 while pushing the Foxies – who entered the day on a two-game winning streak – down to 2-3 and into the bottom three.
“Happy na naraos yung bracket, so sana makatulong yung momentum sa second group stage, crossover. Kasi yung mga makaka-crossover namin, parang di naman talaga sila bottom three kung iisipin,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Malakas pa rin yung Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, so kailangan pa rin namin paghandaan. Ayun nga, buti nakakuha kami ng momentum kahit papaano.”
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The High Speed Hitters, along with Creamline and Chery Tiggo, will face Pool B’s bottom three: Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, and ZUS Coffee.
Just like in the second set, PLDT displayed immense poise to close out Farm Fresh in straight sets.
Foxies’ Colombian import Yeny Murillo brought her team to within one with a sharp crosscourt attack, 23-24. However, Mika Reyes denied Kate Santiago in the ensuing play, sealing the High Speed Hitters’ victory in 89 minutes.
Russian reinforcement Lena Samoilenko unleashed 22 points, supplemented by nine excellent receptions for PLDT.
Fiola Ceballos added 11 points, 10 digs, and nine receptions, while Reyes and Erika Santos contributed eight and seven points, respectively.
Kim Fajardo orchestrated the High Speed Hitters’ balanced attack with 12 excellent sets and three points.
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Trisha Tubu paced the Foxies with 17 points on 16-of-32 attacks, while Murillo was limited to 11 points but added eight receptions and six digs.
Farm Fresh will be in Pool D with Pool B’s three best teams: Akari, Cignal, and Capital1.
