Top-ranked PLDT shrugged off a first-set stumble before asserting control to defeat fourth-seeded Farm Fresh in four sets, 18-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-22, securing a spot in the round-robin semifinals of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After a slow start, the High Speed Hitters weathered a tight second set before erupting in the third frame, going on a massive 16-3 run that turned a 9-12 deficit into a commanding 25-15 win, seizing a 2-1 set lead.
PLDT found itself in another back-and-forth battle early in the fourth set before gradually pulling away to a 23-17 cushion, capped by a 3-0 run led by Savannah Davison and Kianna Dy.
The Foxies, however, refused to back down, cutting the deficit to just two at 22-24 behind a 5-1 rally fueled by Ces Molina and Trisha Tubu.
But Davison, who had committed back-to-back errors moments earlier, redeemed herself by delivering the match-sealing push as PLDT closed out the victory after an hour and 48 minutes.
(C) PVL Images
“Siguro anticipate lang talaga namin na mahirap ‘yung game, ‘yun muna ‘yung una. Pangalawa, kung may natutunan kaming lesson dun sa last game namin, ‘yun nga kung paano kami magre-react sa pressure situations,” said High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort.
“So ‘yun naman ‘yung pinaghandaan namin for the whole training and ‘yun nga, buti naman gumana. At the same time, ‘yung pagpasok ng mga nasa bench, naging crucial para sa amin, so happy kami na nakuha namin,” he added.
PLDT relied on the offensive firepower of Davison and Dy to clinch the hard-fought victory, snapping the Foxies’ three-game winning streak and securing the first semifinals ticket.
Davison tallied 22 points on 17 attacks and five kill blocks, along with 11 excellent receptions, while Dy contributed 19 points on 17 attacks, one ace, and one kill block, plus six excellent digs.
Majoy Baron added 11 points, and Alleiah Malaluan rounded out the double-digit scorers for the High Speed Hitters with 10 markers.
Kath Arado anchored PLDT’s defense with a dominant performance of 27 excellent receptions and 18 excellent digs, also contributing a point, while Kim Fajardo masterfully orchestrated the offense with 28 excellent sets and two points.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh will drop to the play-in round, where they will face either fifth-seeded Nxled or ninth-ranked Galeries Tower for a shot at a semifinals berth.
Trisha Tubu led the Foxies with a game-high 25 points on 22 attacks and three blocks but was held in check down the stretch, as Farm Fresh fell short in the endgame.
Ces Molina posted a double-double of 14 points and 11 excellent digs, while Royse Tubino managed 10 points with 16 excellent receptions. Riri Meneses added eight markers.
Alohi-Robins Hardy finished with 25 excellent sets and four points, while Alyssa Bertolano and Bia General recorded 10 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions, respectively.
