PLDT overcame a slow start to clinch the fourth seed and eliminate the undermanned Choco Mucho, 21-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-19, on the final day of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The High Speed Hitters struggled in the opening set, making a late run that ultimately fell short. They eventually took care of business in the next three sets, improving their record to 6-2.
They tied with Creamline but slid to the fourth spot due to inferior points.
“Siguro hindi namin best [itong pinakita namin]. Pero ‘yun nga, ang daming factors eh. Baka ‘yung pacing, baka alam na sure na kami sa four or five [spot], pero hindi pwede ‘yung ganung laro,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
Up against a demoralized Choco Mucho side, the High Speed Hitters entered the second technical timeout of the fourth set with a 17-11 advantage after back-to-back hits from Lena Samoilenko.
PLDT never looked back from there, extending the lead to 20-12 after a Kim Fajardo ace, ultimately putting away the Flying Titans for good.
“Bawi kami this next game sa Chery. Credits din sa Choco kasi gusto rin talaga nilang manalo,” added the PVL champion coach.
Samoilenko dropped 30 big points in the nearly two-hour encounter, along with 13 excellent digs and six excellent receptions for the High Speed Hitters.
(c) PVL Images
Kiesha Bedonia contributed 16 points, 13 of which came from attacks, while Erika Santos had 13 markers in the win.
Kim Fajardo tallied 17 excellent sets along with two points, while Kath Arado collected 21 excellent digs.
PLDT will take on fifth-seeded Chery Tiggo in the knockout quarterfinals on Tuesday at 4:00 PM at the same venue.
On the other hand, the Flying Titans – already without Sisi Rondina, Cherry Nunag, Des Cheng, and Aduke Ogunsanya – missed the services of head coach Dante Alinsunurin and import Zoi Faki.
They bowed out of contention with a 2-6 record and finished at the ninth spot – their worst campaign since joining the league in 2019.
Faki missed the game due to illness, while Alinsunurin is currently with Alas Pilipinas for the second leg of the 2024 Men’s Southeast Asia V.League in Indonesia.
Choco Mucho’s loss also means that Farm Fresh will complete the quarterfinals cast.
(c) PVL Images
Dindin Santiago-Manabat carried the scoring load for the Flying Titans with 22 points.
No other player reached double digits, with team captain Maddie Madayag scoring nine points and Royse Tubino adding six.
