PASSI, ILOILO – PLDT clinched the fourth seed in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round with a dominant 25-20, 25-16, 25-15 victory over ZUS Coffee on Saturday at the packed City of Passi Arena.
The High Speed Hitters closed the preliminary round with an 8-3 record, riding the momentum of four consecutive wins.
This straight-sets triumph also served as a preview of their upcoming match-up, as PLDT and ZUS Coffee will face off once again in the next phase.
The Thunderbelles finished with a 4-7 slate, securing the ninth seed after suffering their third straight loss.
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“Happy na nakuha ng three sets, happy rin sa mga players na nag-step up today. Mga usual, saka ang mindset today ay i-perform yung para sa pairing din kasi sila rin yung makakalaro sa next round. So happy na na-control yung game,” said High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort.
Similar to the second set, PLDT delivered a scoring barrage midway through the third, pulling away to seal the sweep in just one hour and 24 minutes.
Clinging to a slim 10-8 lead, Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, and Savi Davison spearheaded an 8-1 surge, breaking the game wide open at 18-9 en route to the win.
Davison led the charge with 17 points, tallying 14 spikes and three blocks while adding six receptions. Baron contributed 10 points, as all but one of PLDT’s position players registered on the scoreboard.
Angge Alcantara orchestrated the offense with 10 excellent sets, while Kath Arado anchored the floor defense with 16 excellent digs and five receptions.
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For the Thunderbelles, hometown favorite Chai Troncoso led with nine points and six digs, while middle blockers Mich Gamit and Thea Gagate chipped in eight and six points, respectively.
Other confirmed match-ups in the qualifying round include top-seed Creamline facing No. 12 Nxled, No. 2 Petro Gazz taking on No. 11 Capital1, and No. 3 Cignal battling No. 10 Galeries Tower. Meanwhile, Choco Mucho secured the fifth seed following PLDT’s victory.
The final preliminary match between Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo, ongoing at the time of publication, will determine the sixth to eighth rankings.
