PLDT found its second wind in the fifth set to secure the bronze medal in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference after escaping Farm Fresh in Game 2, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5, completing the sweep in the Battle for Third series on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This marks the High Speed Hitters’ first-ever bronze medal in the PVL, adding to their two gold medals from the 2025 PVL On Tour preseason and the 2025 Invitational Conference.
PLDT also made its return to the podium after missing out in the previous Reinforced Conference, where it settled for fourth place following a loss in the battle for bronze.
(C) PVL Images
“Napakahirap. ‘Yun nga, hindi man namin nakuha ‘yung pinaka-goal na mag-Finals, pero ibibigay ko sa players na mag-commend na nilaban ‘to kahit papaano. Thankful kami, milestone pa rin na nakuha namin ‘yung third this time,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Napakahirap nitong ginagawa namin, at least kahit papaano nakuha namin ‘yung bronze.”
After a tightly contested first four sets, the High Speed Hitters showed steadier nerves and sharper execution in the deciding frame.
Locked at 2-2, Savi Davison, Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, and Kiesha Bedonia powered a dominant 11-2 finishing run to close out the match and clinch the bronze after two hours and one minute.
“I think we’ve really worked hard for this match, and this is like our fifth game against Farm Fresh, and we really prepared. Sa fifth set, it all went down on who wanted it more, so lahat kami nag-usap na unahan na natin sila because we don’t want them to get the momentum,” said Dy, who led PLDT with 21 points on 14-of-30 attacks, six blocks, and one ace.
Davison added 20 points and 10 digs, as the High Speed Hitters had five players scoring in double figures for the second straight game, with Kim Fajardo orchestrating the offense with 32 excellent sets.
Bedonia, who checked in midway through the second set, finished with 15 points, while Baron and Mika Reyes chipped in 10 points each.
Team captain Kath Arado anchored the defense with 28 excellent digs and 21 excellent receptions, along with one point.
PLDT took control of the series after also surviving a 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11 five-set thriller in Game 1.
(C) PVL Images
Trisha Tubu led Farm Fresh again with 23 points, while Ces Molina was the only other player in double figures with 12 points, along with 11 excellent receptions.
Riri Meneses, Royse Tubino, and Mylene Paat added nine points apiece.
The Foxies settled for fourth place, but still marked a breakthrough campaign as they achieved their best finish in franchise history.
