For Kianna Dy, the path back to volleyball’s brightest stage was long and grueling.
But on Sunday night, as she stood in the middle of PLDT’s championship celebration, it was clear the journey had been worth every second.
After spending 18 months sidelined by a knee injury, Dy has returned not just as a player reclaiming her form, but as a champion — powering the High Speed Hitters to the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational crown with a 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18 victory over Kobe Shinwa University.
“The team has been through so much ‘almosts’ and it just feels so good to finally get two championships,” said Dy, who made her highly anticipated comeback last January. “I’m super confident with this team, everyone improved, everyone’s improving, we’re finally complete and yeah tuloy-tuloy lang.”
Her words carried the weight of PLDT’s journey. For years, the High Speed Hitters hovered just short of glory, but with Dy back in uniform and playing at full strength, the pieces finally fell into place.
She proved instrumental in the title-clinching win, scoring 17 points built on 11 spikes, four blocks, and two aces. It was a performance that underscored her importance to PLDT’s balance — and her ability to lead by example on both ends of the court.
While Conference MVP Savi Davison once again led the charge with 20 points, PLDT’s run was no longer about relying on a single star. Rookie sensation Alleiah Malaluan chipped in 15 points, and veteran middle Mika Reyes added 12, giving the High Speed Hitters the depth they had been missing in previous heartbreaks.
That collective effort defined their stunning 13-game winning streak — an eight-game sweep in the PVL On Tour followed by a five-game sweep of the Invitationals. For Dy, being part of this transformation after so much time away from the sport made the triumph even sweeter.
Her presence not only elevated PLDT’s attack but also symbolized resilience. After enduring the frustrations of rehabilitation, Dy has emerged as a cornerstone of a team that refuses to be satisfied with just two trophies.
“Tuloy tuloy lang kami. Next conference is a different conference, may imports na so we have to work hard again for that,” she said, already shifting her focus to the Reinforced Conference where new challenges await.
