Short-handed PLDT made quick work of Farm Fresh, spoiling the debut of Italian head coach Alessandro Lodi with a 25-18, 25-21, 28-26 sweep to open its 2025 PVL On Tour campaign with a win in Pool A on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The High Speed Hitters showed no signs of struggle despite missing ace spiker Savannah Davison, who remains in Canada, along with Alas Pilipinas standouts Dell Palomata and Alleiah Malaluan.
Stepping up in their absence were Mika Reyes, Kiesha Bedonia, and Jovelyn Prado.
Seldom-used Bedonia made the most of her opportunity, delivering a stellar all-around performance with 14 points built on 10 attacks, two blocks, and two aces. She also tallied eight excellent digs and seven excellent receptions in her breakout game.
Reyes added 10 points off seven attacks and three blocks, while Prado — starting for the first time since returning from an ACL tear in her left knee — chipped in nine points and 10 excellent digs.
(C) PVL Images
“Nung una pa lang po, pagbalik namin, nasabihan na ako ni coach noon eh na i-prepare ko lang ‘yung sarili ko mentally and physically po,” said Bedonia.
“Kasi maraming umalis sa amin, parang ayun, doble din ‘yung training ko, doble rin ‘yung effort ko sa physical and mental ko, so ‘yun lang po. Sinunod ko lang din po sila coach, ‘yung mga coaches ko, lalo na sa passing, defense, and offense po,” she added.
PLDT rallied from a 19-23 deficit in the third set, unleashing a 5-0 run capped by a costly attack error from Jolina Dela Cruz that gave the High Speed Hitters a 24-23 lead.
Farm Fresh’s Rizza Cruz momentarily kept the Foxies alive with a clutch block on Kiseo, but Majoy Baron answered with a quick kill to regain the lead at 26-25.
In her debut, Alohi Robins-Hardy gave Farm Fresh a shot at extending the match by stuffing Kiseo and following it up with a well-timed 1-2 play for a 27-26 advantage.
However, Reyes tied it with a quick hit, then Lorene Toring sent her attack wide. Reyes came through again with a decisive block on Caitlyn Viray to close the match after an hour and 29 minutes.
“Tine-take namin ‘yung conference na ‘to as a big challenge sa’min, knowing na again, ‘di na naman kami kumpleto. ‘Yung opportunity na ibibigay sa mga — like sila Kiesha, gusto namin i-take ‘yun na… Kumbaga pinaghirapan din naman namin ‘yung preparation,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
“So sabi ko lang sa kanila, tingnan natin kung saan kami aabot this conference. Pero ‘yun nga, happy na nag-perform lahat, saka ni-ready naman sila sa situations tulad kanina, so happy kami na na-execute namin,” he added.
Starters Baron and Kianna Dy contributed seven and six points, respectively, while Angge Alcantara anchored the offense with 20 excellent sets.
Kath Arado also provided a steady defensive presence with 20 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
PLDT looks to build on this strong start when it faces reigning All-Filipino Conference champion Petro Gazz on July 12 in Ilagan, Isabela.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Trisha Tubu led Farm Fresh with 14 points. Cruz and Dela Cruz added 10 and nine markers, respectively. Louie Romero managed 17 excellent sets, while Jheck Dionela collected 11 excellent digs.
The Foxies hope to bounce back and earn their first win when they go up against Choco Mucho, also on July 12.
