PVL: PLDT overcomes slow start, denies upset-seeking Farm Fresh to reach semis

MANILA, March 27 ------ PLDT will move on to the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinals. The top-ranked High Speed Hitters denied the upset attempt of No. 4 seed Farm Fresh, 18-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-22, in the qualifying round to become the first semifinalists of the tournament at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. "I guess we had the mindset of really winning today because if it was the other way around, we would have had a harder path to take kasi 'yung pool namin ay mahirap," said opposite spiker Kianna Dy during the postgame press conference.

The High Speed Hitters had a slow start, losing in the opener but eventually got their groove back after a close second set, and had a dominant win in the next frame. Only a 15-14 count midway through Set 4, PLDT slowly pulled away and built a 20-16 cushion, the last point being a service error from Royse Tubino.

Savi Davison then nailed a drop ball hit put PLDT to match point, 24-19, but the Foxies still managed to stay alive as they chalked up three unanswered points, concluded by the Fil-Canadian's attack that went into the net. Coach Rald Ricafort called for a quick timeout, and that's when the High Speed Hitters regained their composure. Davison made up for her error prior, firing a promptly placed attack that hit the middle of the opposite court, catching the Foxies defense lacking to seal the semis spot for the High Speed Hitters. "Just like Kianna [Dy] said, we came in knowing that we have to really show up today and win this match because another path would have been very difficult," said Davison.

Davison, as usual, led the PLDT scoring with 22 points on 17 attacks, while asserting her will on the net, securing five blocks. Dy had 19 markers which mostly came from hits, while Kim Fajardo made the plays with 28 excellent sets. Libero-captain Kath Arado, for her part, tried to stop the Foxies offense, listing 18 excellent digs and 27 excellent receptions.

On the other hand, Farm Fresh drops down and sees its three-game winning run halted. They will face the winner of the Nxled-Galeries play-in encounter. Trisha Tubu, doing what she does best, had 25 points, while Ces Molina chipped in 14 markers for the losing cause.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com