PLDT continued its dominant run, sweeping Choco Mucho in straight sets, 25-21, 25-20, 25-19, despite the much-awaited debut of Marlee Smith in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the victory, the High Speed Hitters joined the Farm Fresh Foxies atop Pool A with identical 2-0 records. The win also stretched PLDT’s winning streak to 15 matches, dating back to the PVL on Tour preseason tournament.
(C) PVL Images
“Yun lang before the game, pinag-usapan talaga namin na naka-mindset kami na hard game today, na ayun nga… Lagi namang ganon nga si Choco, laging nagbibigay nang ganoong challenge,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Sadyang siguro nagtugma-tugma lang sa part namin and ayun nga gumana yung mga locals as well. Happy kami.”
However, the straight-set win didn’t come easy. The High Speed Hitters had to weather a late surge from the Flying Titans in the third set.
Trailing 7-18, Choco Mucho mounted a fierce 8-1 rally behind Dindin Manabat and Smith to close the gap to 15-19.
But PLDT’s trio of Savi Davison, Anastasiia Bavykina, and Majoy Baron steadied the ship, delivering clutch points to seal the win in one hour and 32 minutes.
One-time PVL MVP Davison spearheaded the High Speed Hitters anew with 19 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and an ace. She also tallied nine excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
Russian reinforcement Bavykina contributed 13 points, while Kianna Dy added nine markers.
PLDT will aim to extend its unbeaten run to three games when it faces the struggling Cignal HD Spikers on Tuesday, still at the Big Dome.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Smith finally made her Choco Mucho debut after missing their opening match on Monday due to pending documents.
The American outside hitter made her presence felt with 20 points but was largely a one-woman army for the Flying Titans.
Isa Molde, Aduke Ogunsanya, and Cherry Nunag each chipped in only four points as Choco Mucho fell to 1-1, tying Capital1 for third and fourth in Pool A.
The Flying Titans will look to bounce back on Tuesday against the winless Nxled Chameleons.
