Unbeaten PLDT stays on its toes entering quarterfinals
PLDT remained the lone unscathed team in the PVL on Tour after completing a five-game sweep of the preliminary round.
But that doesn’t mean that the High Speed Hitters are untouchable—and will fall into a false sense of security—as they shift their focus to the preseason tournament’s quarterfinal round.
Mika Reyes delivered 10 points and provided the stability when PLDT started flat in the first two sets before the High Speed Hitters eventually thumped gritty Galeries Tower, 25-20, 25-14, 25-17, on Sunday at USJ-R Coliseum in Cebu City.
“Right now, we’re very happy with our standing, but the coaches always remind us not to be complacent because the next teams we’ll face will be tougher for sure,” said Reyes in Filipino.
“They also keep reminding us that whether the game has bearing or not, we should still show respect and play our best every time.”
Reyes believes the key to their clean 5-0 slate in Pool A ahead of the knockout quarterfinal on Aug. 7 was everyone stepping up in the absence of Savi Davison, who just returned from Canada and played sparingly in Cebu. Alas Pilipinas players Dell Palomata and first-round pick Alleiah Malaluan have also not played yet.
“That’s something we talk about often. Even if we’re missing a few players, like Alleiah Malaluan and Dell Palomata, and Savi, who just recently came back,” Reyes said. “Everyone needs to step up and double their effort to fill in those roles.
Added the veteran middle blocker: “So far, everyone’s doing great, but we know we still need to be more prepared moving forward.”
Kianna Dy, who celebrated her 30th birthday in their straight-set win over the erstwhile-unbeaten Nxled on Saturday, waxed hot in the third set to finish with 12 points.
Jovy Prado matched Reyes with 10 points and Majoy Baron and Kiesha Bedonia, who led the way against Nxled less than 24 hours ago, had seven and six points, respectively.
Kim Fajardo orchestrated well with 17 excellent sets on top of four points, as Kath Arado protected the floor with 11 digs and seven excellent receptions for the High Speed Hitters, who only had 12 errors in the match.
“It’s a big deal. From losing some of our Alas players to other key players, everyone really committed to making sure those absences wouldn’t be felt,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort in Filipino. “So far, it’s showing in the results, but we know it’s still just the prelims. There’s a long way to go.”
