PLDT turned back Petro Gazz, 16-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-15, 15-7, to secure fifth place in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference, Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Savannah Davison saved her best for last, unloading 29 points on 26 attacks and three blocks to go along with 15 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs to help the High Speed Hitters cap off their campaign with a 7-4 win-loss record.
Both PLDT and the Angels were still in the running for the final semifinals spot heading into this day but a win by Cignal earlier in the day tossed both teams out of contention.
“Regardless nga ng maging result, basta yung mindset namin na mag-progress at mag-improve,” said High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort after the hard-fought win.
“Yun naman talaga since hindi nga namin inabo yung semis, but yun nga okay naman kami lalo for Sav (Davison) na mabigyan siya ng opportunity,” added the PVL champion coach.
After a rough fourth set performance, the Angels kept in step with the High Speed Hitters in the decider and found themselves trailing by just one point, 6-7, after a kill by Marian Buitre.
Unfortunately, Buitre committed a service error right after which started a blistering 8-1 finishing blast that delivered the High Speed Hitters the win after almost two hours of roller coaster action.
“Yun na, mahirap kasi talaga yung hinabol si Sav pero hindi kasi lahat mate-train lalo yung sa mga big crowd, yung sa mga tight games, high pressure, so lahat ng dinaanan namin na games medyo kinapos kami nang konti,” said Ricafort.
Rhea Dimacalungan and Erika Santos missed their second consecutive game after sitting out the team’s previous match against F2 Logistics.
Jules Samonte continued to make the most out of her limited opportunity, finishing with 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks while Fiola Ceballos, who only played in the first three sets, had 10 points.
Anj Legacion tossed 19 excellent sets to go along with three points while Kath Arado registered 29 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
On the other hand, Jonah Sabete led the undermanned Petro Gazz with 17 points, 13 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions while Marian Buitre and Nicole Tiamzon added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Remy Palma, Grethcel Soltones, and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas all sat out of the contest.
The Angels, who played in the finals of the previous All-Filipino Conference, finished sixth with a 6-5 win-loss standing.
