PLDT handed Chery Tiggo its first loss of the tournament by way of a dominant 25-13, 25-22, 27-25 win in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Mean Mendrez once again stepped up for the High Speed Hitters, scoring a team-high 14 points to help the team score its second consecutive victory that helped them tie Petro Gazz at the second spot with identical 2-1 records.
Dell Palomata finished with 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and an ace while Jovy Prado had 12 points as well to go along with 15 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions. Mich Morente added 10 markers.
“Yun lang, coming into the game yung mindset nila yung nagdadala e. Nireremind lang talaga sila na kahit hindi sila yung may big names, kahit sila yung medyo rebuilding pa this season dahil sa system na ina-apply lagi [kaming] may chance manalo,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
After taking the first two sets with ease, the High Speed Hitters felt resistance from the side of the Crossovers in the third set with the latter forcing an extension courtesy of a Cza Carandang rejection on Mika Reyes that locked the scores at 25.
Reyes answered back with a running attack but PLDT failed to get the ball over in the following play which tied the scores once again.
Jovie Prado took over from there and nailed an off-speed hit before scoring the game-winning crosscourt hit.
“Tingin ko [nagawa namin yung game plan]. Kasi smooth yung naging laro e, nakakapagod yung process pero naa-appreciate nila kapag tumatalab e, kapag nangyayari yung pinaguusapan. So ganun yung nangyari kanina,” he added.
Rhea Dimaculangan tossed 21 excellent sets to go along with two points while Kath Arado collected 17 excellent receptions and 16 excellent digs.
On the other hand, Mylene Paat paced Chery Tiggo with 16 points along with five excellent digs while EJ Laure had 10 markers to go along with nine excellent receptions.
The Crossovers are now in a three-way logjam with Creamline and F2 Logistics with identical 3-1 standings.
PLDT will face Petro Gazz at 6:30 PM (Filoil EcoOil Centre) while Chery Tiggo will take on Creamline on Saturday at 4:00 PM (Philsports Arena).
