PLDT kicked off its PVL On Tour campaign with a hard-earned victory rather than a statement win, overcoming a spirited challenge from a depleted but fearless Choco Mucho squad, 25-21, 20-25, 29-27, 25-18, in a gripping showdown Saturday night at the Chavit Coliseum in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Expected to impose their depth against a Flying Titans side missing several key stars, the High Speed Hitters instead found themselves dragged into a tense battle of resilience, composure and execution. They recovered from a disappointing second-set meltdown, weathered a breathtaking third-set firefight that tested both teams' nerves, then leaned on their experience in Set 4 to finally subdue Choco Mucho and secure their first win of the pre-season tournament.
Kim Dy led PLDT's offensive charge, while Savi Davison, Alleiah Malaluan, Kiesha Bedonia and middle blockers Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron delivered timely contributions on both ends as the defending champions withstood every challenge thrown their way in the last two frames.
With the victory, PLDT joined Galeries Tower and Creamline at 1-0, trailing pacesetting ZUS Coffee, which swept its first two matches in the tournament being staged in volleyball-loving cities around the country.
Caitlyn Viray paced Choco Mucho with 16 points, while Isa Molde contributed 14. Jewel Encarnacion, Mean Mendez and Ayesha Juegos finished with 10, eight and six points, respectively. However, the Flying Titans lost momentum midway through the fourth set as the High Speed Hitters regained control, imposing their strength to pull away and close out the match.
Instead of folding against the odds, Choco Mucho displayed remarkable grit, refusing to let PLDT dictate the match and forcing the champions to earn every point.
After surrendering the second set, the High Speed Hitters came out with renewed purpose in the third, with Dy igniting the attack while PLDT tightened its floor defense and blocking. The defending champions quickly built what appeared to be a comfortable cushion, racing to a commanding 16-8 advantage behind a balanced offensive assault and improved transition play.
But just when PLDT seemed poised to regain complete control, the Flying Titans mounted one of the night's most stirring rallies.
Showing tremendous heart, Choco Mucho erased the eight-point deficit piece by piece, unleashing an 8-3 counterattack behind relentless floor defense, timely attacks and unwavering confidence to pull within 16-19. Refusing to blink even as the pressure mounted, the Flying Titans continued to chip away before a booming hit by Viray tied the score at 24, sending the set into a dramatic extension.
What followed was a breathtaking exchange of poise, precision and nerve.
Every rally carried enormous weight, every swing threatening to shift the momentum of the match.
Choco Mucho appeared on the verge of stealing the pivotal frame after Molde hammered home an attack for a 26-25 advantage, igniting hopes of a stunning comeback. But PLDT successfully challenged for a block touch on Kiesha Bedonia's attack, wiping out the point and swinging the momentum back to the defending champions.
Sensing the urgency, Reyes rose to the occasion. The veteran middle blocker delivered consecutive quick attacks through the middle, the second capping a frantic, extended rally that showcased both teams' refusal to surrender and nudged PLDT ahead, 28-27.
Still, the Flying Titans would not yield.
They extended rallies with relentless defensive hustle, chased down seemingly impossible balls and continued to pressure the High Speed Hitters despite the mounting tension. But after another heart-stopping exchange, Malaluan finally found the breakthrough, drilling a clean down-the-line winner that ended the marathon set and gave PLDT a hard-earned 29-27 victory for a crucial two-sets-to-one lead.
The emotional triumph in the third set ultimately proved to be the turning point.
Riding the momentum from the previous set, PLDT took control in the fourth, turning a close battle into a comfortable cushion with a 10-7 surge sparked by Dy, Malaluan, and Bedonia. Backed by poise, defensive discipline, and a deeper rotation, the High Speed Hitters widened the gap to 19-13 and sealed the four-set triumph as the Flying Titans faded down the stretch.
While PLDT walked away with the victory, Choco Mucho earned plenty of respect in defeat. Missing three of its primary scorers, the Flying Titans refused to back down, matching the defending champions in intensity and determination while proving they remain capable of challenging the league's elite even with a depleted lineup.
