PLDT exited the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference prelims with a remarkable victory, defeating defending champion Creamline, 22-25. 25-14, 25-22, 27-25, before a sizeable crowd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Thursday night.
Despite the triumph, it did little to ease the disappointment of their shattered conference dreams.
The High Speed Hitters concluded their campaign tied with the Cool Smashers at 8-3. But Creamline had already secured a spot in the semis regardless of the outcome of their match with a superior points tally of 24 compared to PLDT’s 23.
For Creamline, the loss marked their second defeat in its last four elims matches, raising concerns about their form and confidence heading into the grueling semifinal stage, which begins next Tuesday.
Petro Gazz, boasting an 8-2 slate with one match remaining against Nxled tomorrow (Saturday), along with Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo, both with identical 9-2 records, complete the semifinal lineup.
PLDT had actually led the field but dropped two crucial matches last week to all but scuttle their semifinal aspirations.
Savi Davison came away with 27 points while Erika Santos and Fiola Ceballos contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively, as the High Speed Hitters charged back from four points down midway in the fourth to frustrate the Cool Smashers’ bid to send the match to a deciding set.
Middles Majoy Baron and Dell Palomata finished with seven and six points, respectively, for PLDT, which dominated the net with eight blocks compared to Creamline’s two. The High Speed Hitters also capitalized on their opponents’ miscues, netting 26 points which conceding 21 points of their own in the one-hour, 57-minute match.
Jema Galanza led Creamline with 16 markers while Tots Carlos and Pangs Panaga had 12 and 11 points, respectively, and Michele Gumabao, Alyssa Valdez and Bea de Leon combined for 19 points.
