ILAGAN, ISABELA — PLDT overcame a third-set stumble to defeat Choco Mucho in four sets, 25-22, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17, and seized the top spot in Pool A of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League On Tour in front of an electric crowd of 7,693 at the Capital Arena on Sunday night.
The High Speed Hitters improved to 3-0, overtaking the idle Nxled Chameleons (2-0) to sit alone at the top of the standings and move within reach of an outright quarterfinals berth.
“Nag-mindset naman yung team na hard games yung dito sa Isabela. Thankful kami na nakuha yung results pero one game at a time pa rin kami,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort after the two-hour, 16-minute match, which featured deafening cheers from the passionate local crowd.
(C) PVL Images
PLDT seemed poised to sweep the match after Kiesha Bedonia’s attack gave them an 18-14 lead in the third set. But Choco Mucho refused to fold.
Spurred by local favorite Jem Ferrer and key contributors Ayesha Juegos and Mean Mendrez, the Flying Titans roared back with an 11-4 run to steal the third set, 25-22, and extend the contest.
The High Speed Hitters, however, quickly regrouped in the fourth. Jovie Prado, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, and Kianna Dy joined forces to put the match away for good.
Kim Fajardo orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 29 excellent sets as five PLDT players reached double figures in scoring.
Dy and Prado led the scoring charge with 15 points each, while Baron and Bedonia chipped in 14 apiece. Baron also tallied six of PLDT’s 13 blocks, while Dy added three.
Reyes finished with 10 points, while Kath Arado once again anchored the floor defense with 28 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
“We’re very happy of course [sa reception ng crowd] kasi sabi nga nila, ngayon lang may pumunta dito sa area na ito so lahat sila excited. Thank you sa PVL and sa organizers para makapunta kami dito,” said Reyes, thrilled by the warm reception of the Isabela fans during the two-day PVL showcase.
PLDT now heads to Cebu City to wrap up its pool play at the USJ-R Coliseum on July 26 and 27, facing Nxled and Galeries Tower.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho suffered its third consecutive loss, dropping to 1-3 and falling into a tie with Petro Gazz for fourth place in Pool A. The Flying Titans will next face the Angels on July 29 at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
Despite the loss, rookie Juegos stood out with 13 points in a solid effort. Ferrer, who helped spark the third-set comeback, exited early in the fourth after tweaking her ankle with PLDT leading, 10-7.
Des Cheng and Jen Villegas scored nine points each, while libero Thang Ponce contributed 19 excellent receptions and 18 digs.
