CEBU CITY — Towering PLDT secured a quarterfinal berth after handing previously-unbeaten Nxled a reality check with a commanding straight-sets win, 25-11, 25-17, 25-21, in the 2025 PVL On Tour on Saturday at the USJR Coliseum here.
The High Speed Hitters leaned on their imposing frontline, led by Majoy Baron, to dominate the net in a clash between the last two undefeated teams in the group. Baron anchored PLDT’s control on both ends of the court, effectively disrupting Nxled’s rhythm early and dictating the tempo from start to finish.
Baron delivered an efficient performance, scoring 13 points built on 11 attacks and two kill blocks, while also doing the gritty work — slowing down the Chameleons’ offense and closing off angles at the net.
Brimming with confidence, PLDT made an early statement, tallying seven kill blocks in the opening frame alone to fuel a blistering 17-3 start that set the tone for the rest of the match.
The High Speed Hitters ended with 13 blocks in total and limited Nxled to just 29 successful attacks in the one-hour and 32-minute encounter.
(C) PVL Images
“’Yun naman ang pinaghandaan namin, tulad ng mga nakaraang laro — na hindi lang sa opensa umaandar ang mga middles. Kapag maayos ang blockings, tuloy-tuloy na mula floor defense hanggang counter-attack. Proud ako sa mga middles na nag-perform,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
Nxled showed a late spark in the third set after consecutive errors from Kim Fajardo trimmed the gap to 21-24. However, Kiesha Bedonia shut the door with a powerful hit — one that the Chameleons challenged, but unsuccessfully — to seal the win.
Bedonia finished with a game-high 15 points on 10 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while also contributing five excellent receptions. Her efforts were key in pushing PLDT to the top of Pool A with an unblemished 4-0 record, breaking their tie with Nxled.
Mika Reyes and birthday girl Kianna Dy chipped in nine points each, while Jovie Prado added seven markers and five excellent receptions. Fajardo orchestrated the offense with 18 excellent sets and added four digs.
Savannah Davison, returning from a three-game absence, saw limited minutes in the latter part of the third set and scored two points.
PLDT now eyes a five-game sweep of the group stage as they face Galeries Tower on Sunday at 4:00 PM, still at the USJR Coliseum.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Chameleons, who opened the tournament with three consecutive victories, absorbed their first loss and slipped to second place in Pool A with a 3-1 record.
EJ Cariño, who came in during the second set, led Nxled with 11 points, while rookie Lyann De Guzman added nine.
Nxled looks to bounce back and clinch the last outright quarterfinals spot when they battle Farm Fresh on Sunday at 6:30 PM.
