PLDT strengthened its grip on the top spot after overcoming a tough challenge from Choco Mucho in four sets, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The High Speed Hitters became the first team to clinch a qualifying round berth following the Flying Titans’ loss to Farm Fresh earlier this week. They bounced back from an opening-set defeat and fought through tight wins in the next three frames to improve to 7-1.
(c) PVL Images
“Actually, buong game bigay talaga namin ‘yung credit kay Choco. Wala talagang madaling game ‘pag sila kalaban. Kumpleto talaga sila, tao-tao tas system-wise naramdaman namin yung service tsaka ‘yun nga good blocking team,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Nahirapan din kami nung start na talagang unstoppable si Sisi [Rondina], in-anticipate din naman namin na ganun ‘yung mangyayari. Bigay ko rin sa players na tyinaga talaga na mag-adjust tsaka ‘wag mawalan ng pasensya. So very happy na nakuha namin,” he added.
Savannah Davison once again led PLDT with a team-high 19 points — all from attacks — while adding 15 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
Kianna Dy is settling comfortably into her role as the team’s second option, contributing 17 points on 12 attacks and five of the team’s 12 kill blocks over nearly two hours of play.
Majoy Baron added 13 points, including three rejections. Alleiah Malaluan, who missed recent practice due to illness, still contributed 10 points — coming off the bench in the first set before starting the next three.
Kim Fajardo delivered 23 excellent sets along with two points, while skipper Kath Arado recorded 14 excellent digs.
The High Speed Hitters had to fend off a late rally from the Flying Titans in the fourth set, as the latter trimmed a 23-15 deficit to 23-19 with a 4-0 run before Malaluan stepped up with a block and an ace to seal the win.
PLDT will wrap up its preliminary round campaign on Thursday at 4:00 PM against the resurgent Nxled at the same venue.
(c) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho still has a chance to clinch an outright qualifying round spot despite falling to 3-5.
The Flying Titans must win their remaining game against ZUS Coffee on Thursday at 6:30 PM, and hope that Nxled, Akari, Farm Fresh, and Capital1 lose their remaining matches.
Sisi Rondina led Choco Mucho with a game-high 23 points on 20 attacks and three aces, along with 14 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs. Kat Tolentino added 15 points.
