PLDT overcame a tight opening set to sweep Galeries Tower, 29-27, 25-14, 25-18, to clinch its fifth consecutive win in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The High Speed Hitters survived a close encounter with the Highrisers in the opener before taking the last two sets with ease to seize the second spot momentarily with a 5-1 record.
“Yun nga, yung first set hindi namin nagustuhan since ang dami na namang lapses so kailangan i-address ulit sa training. Pero after ng first set, medyo okay naman na,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
Galeries threatened to take the first set after back-to-back points from Andrea Marzan and Roma Joy Doromal allowed them to take a 27-26 advantage.
However, Erika Santos fired on off-the-block hit to send the game to another deuce. Raprap Aguilar committed an attack error which placed the High Speed Hitters to set point before Fiola Ceballos hammered one down off a broken play to take the first set.
PLDT made quick work of Galeries in the second frame before using a 7-0 run in the third set to turn an 11-10 lead into an 18-10 lead to bury the Highrisers.
“Ang pangit kasi nung first set namin eh. More of kailangan i-address. Hindi lang skills wise pero kailangan ma-prepare sila mentally kasi ayun nga, top teams na yung mga next na makakalaban so feeling ko dun talaga kami kailangan mag-focus,” said Ricafort.
Erika Santos took charge with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks to go along with 13 excellent digs while Royse Tubino added 14 points and five excellent receptions for the High Speed Hitters.
Rachel Austero chipped in seven points filling in for Dell Palomata, who was out due to load management, while Mika Reyes and Savannah Davison had six points apiece.
Rhea Dimaculangan glued things together with 16 excellent sets while Kath Arado registered 21 excellent digs after an hour and 33 minutes of action.
On the other hand, Andrea Marzan was the lone double-digit scorer for Galeries with 11 points.
Doromal added nine markers while Audrey Paran and Dimdim Pacres had six and five points, respectively, for the Highrisers, who dropped to 0-6 in the standings.
PLDT will next go up against Chery Tiggo on Saturday, 6:00 p.m. at the same arena while Galeries will eye its first win versus Nxled on Thursday, 2:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
