Kath Arado has always been the last line of defense for her team, but on Sunday night, she became the face of a championship.
The PLDT libero — often unnoticed in a position rarely measured by points — delivered a performance so commanding that she rewrote the standards of recognition in Philippine volleyball, becoming the first libero ever to be named Finals MVP. Her brilliance anchored the High Speed Hitters’ 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18 victory over Kobe Shinwa University to capture the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational crown.
With 22 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions against the relentless Japanese guest team, Arado turned defense into PLDT’s greatest weapon, proving that stopping points can be just as valuable as scoring them.
“Sobrang happy. Parang, yun nga, kulang talaga yung salitang proud sa nangyayari sa team,” said the 27-year-old defensive specialist, who had endured heartbreak after heartbreak in past conferences before finally tasting back-to-back championships — the first in the PVL On Tour just two weeks earlier.
“Actually, yung Finals MVP hindi ko talaga alam na meron pa lang ganon na libero pwede mag Finals MVP. Happy at the same time parang proud sa team kasi ang layo ng pinagdaanan.”
For Arado, however, the award was never about herself. If anything, it was a testament to the people behind her journey — especially the PLDT coaching staff led by Rald Ricafort.
“Thankful lang din na sila (coaches) yung nakasama ko kasi nga yung pasensya nila sa akin na i-feed nang i-feed, yun din yung nagiging successful. Kaya hanggang ngayon, nandito pa rin ako naglalaro,” she shared, emphasizing how her mentors built her confidence and sharpened her craft.
She also reserved praise for her teammates, who battled alongside her through the frustrations of falling short before finally reaching the mountaintop.
“Siguro din kasi kumportable ako sa mga kasama ko, yung walang filter yung ginagalaw ko, walang hesitation, kasi alam nila kung paano ako maglaro,” Arado said. “Alam ko rin paano sila maglaro, so nagko-complement lang yung mga players to each other, kaya siguro name-maintain at hinihigitan ko yung every game talaga.”
While Arado provided the defensive backbone, PLDT’s championship was still a collective masterpiece. Conference MVP Savi Davison once again carried the offensive load with 20 points, alongside 18 receptions and nine digs. Kianna Dy stepped up with 17 points built on 11 attacks, four blocks, and two aces, while Alleiah Malaluan and Mika Reyes contributed 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Yet on a night that could have easily been defined by offense, it was Arado who stood tallest, redefining what greatness in volleyball can look like.
After years of grinding through painful eliminations, her resilience and leadership have now pushed the High Speed Hitters into the conversation as the league’s new powerhouse.
