PLDT shrugged off its slow start en route to a dominant 25-22, 25-6, 25-9 sweep of Galeries Tower in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The High Speed Hitters struggled for a bit to start the game but managed to escape the Highrisers in the opening set, before eventually stepping on the gas pedal and dominating the next two frames for a winning debut.
“Happy na naka-execute kami ng maayos,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort. “Happy na first game nasalang agad iyong mga bago and na-ikot naman iyong mga players so happy kami na nakaperform lahat.”
After a tight first-set encounter, the High Speed Hitters went on a hot 12-4 start before Jules Samonte and Jessey De Leon scored three points apiece in an 8-0 run that allowed their side to take a 20-4 advantage, which Galeries never recovered from.
PLDT carried its momentum in the third frame, racing to a 15-5 advantage anchored by Samonte and Savannah Davison which took the fight out of the Highrisers early in the set.
“Pinaka gusto naming kunin is yung naka-buwelo na kami ng maayos, yung magkaroon lang ng good start pero after nito hindi pwedeng masyadong ilagay sa ulo eh,” said Ricafort.
“So kahit maganda yung performance ngayon marami pa rin kailangan ayusin. Malalakas yung teams na kasali so every game talaga kailangan mag-improve pa,” he added.
Davison delivered a game-high 19 points on 16 attacks, two blocks, and one ace to go along with nine excellent digs and eight excellent receptions to lead the High Speed Hitters’ solid start for the conference.
Samonte also stepped up in the absence of Kianna Dy, tallying 15 points on 10 attacks, four aces, and one block laced with 10 excellent receptions. Fiola Ceballos added seven markers while Majoy Baron had four in her debut.
Kim Fajardo tossed 11 excellent sets to go along with two points in her first game as a Highspeed Hitter.
PLDT will try to make it two in a row against Nxled on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
No player from Galeries reached double digits in scoring with Julia Ipac scoring seven points on seven attacks. France Ronquillo and the debuting Shola Alvarez chipped in four markers each.
Alyssa Eroa tallied 19 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions also in her first game with the Highrisers.
Galeries Tower aims to bounce back against Cignal on March 2, 2:00 p.m. both at the Philsports Arena.
