PLDT balanced its firepower and utilized rest effectively in a sweep against Strong Group, securing a share of the leadership in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday evening, with set scores of 25-12, 25-21, 25-17.
The High Speed Hitters racked up their fifth straight victory to join Choco Mucho at the top with identical 7-1 records. The latter, though, holds the tiebreaker with superior points (21-20).
“Yun naman yung game plan all along (na gamitin yung second-stringers). Happy kami na naactivate lahat saka nagperform nang maayos,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
Starters and core players Savi Davison, Erika Santos, Fiola Ceballos, Majoy Baron, Dell Palomata, Kim Fajardo, and Kath Arado only played in the first set leading to their 25-12 romp.
Then in the following sets, the bench players stepped up to finish the match in one hour and 15 minutes.
Kiesha Bedonia, who first proved her worth in their five-set conquest of the Flying Titans, led the High Speed Hitters with 16 points on 16-of-26 attacks along with eight excellent receptions.
“Binibigyan po ako ng chance ng coaches so why not diba ipakita ko kung sino ako, kung ano talaga yung baon ko sa larong ito,” said Bedonia, a 21-year-old spiker from Far Eastern University.
Shiela Kiseo and Jules Samonte poured 11 points apiece as well for PLDT, which will now head towards its tough final stretch in the eliminations against contenders Chery Tiggo next Tuesday, Cignal on April 20, and Creamline on April 25.
No player from the Athletics reached double figures as Sheeka Espinosa and Dolly Versoza only managed six points apiece.
SGA (0-8) continues its pursuit of its first win on Saturday against Choco Mucho.
