PLDT bounced back from its opening day loss and vented its ire on Akari, 25-16, 25-16, 25-23, in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Fil-Canadian outside spiker Savannah Davison provided 19 points on 14 attacks, three blocks, and two aces to go along with seven excellent digs and six excellent receptions to help the High Speed Hitters bounce back from its opening day loss and up its slate to 1-1.
“Yung response namin doon sa talo nung first game, at least lumabas naman yung pinagensayuhan saka medyo nagge-gel nakahit papaano, medyo loose na yung lahat especially si Sav so okay naman. At least kahit nagdikitan sa dulo, nakuha pa rin namin,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
The Chargers threatened to extend the game to a fourth set after Faith Nisperos registered a kill, which was followed by an Ezra Madrigal block on Erika Santos, which put them up 22-21.
Mika Reyes though cashed in on a quick to tie the game before Jessey De Leon fired an ace and Nisperos committed an attack error, placing PLDT at match point.
Nisperos atoned for her mistake and scored through the block before Davison rose over Akari’s blockers to put the exclamation point and hand her side the bounce back win.
“Sabi ko lang nung 20-all, ‘wag na nilang idagdag yung pressure na dahil dikitan. I-treat lang as normal as possible, so normal lang. Sa training nagkakaroon naman kami ng ganon eh, raise to five, raise to six so kesa maiba pa yung mindset, madala pa ng pressure, kailangan talaga kalmado lang lahat para maka-execute ng tama,” added Ricafort.
Dell Palomata added 13 points on 10 attacks, two blocks, and an ace in the win, while Erika Santos and Royse Tubino chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, in an hour and 28 minutes of game time.
Rhea Dimaculangan glued things together with 15 excellent sets to go along with four points, which included two aces, while Kath Arado had 11 excellent receptions.
The High Speed Hitters had an impressive performance from the service line, scoring eight aces compared to the Chargers’ one.
PLDT will face Farm Fresh on Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo
On the other hand, Nisperos paced Akari with 11 points while Dindin Santiago-Manabat had 10 points on six attacks, three kill blocks, and an ace.
Akari, who slid to 1-1 in the standings, will go up against Chery Tiggo also on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
