No more straight-set setbacks to endure for PLDT, and five-sets to hope for Capital1.
The High Speed Hitters finally put an end to their frustrating skid, shaking off a first-set loss behind Savi Davison’s explosive 28-point performance and a suffocating net defense to turn back the Solar Spikers, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the FilOil Centre on Saturday.
After absorbing back-to-back straight-set defeats to Nxled and Akari, PLDT rediscovered its championship form, weathering Capital1’s spirited challenge before tightening its grip on the match to snap their two-game slide and improve to 1-2.
Davison broke out of a mini slump in emphatic fashion, but PLDT’s collective effort proved just as crucial. Kim Dy and Dell Palomata spearheaded a defensive stand that repeatedly shut down Capital1’s top gun, while the High Speed Hitters finished with 12 blocks – nine more than the Solar Spikers – to seal the two-hour, 17-minute victory.
“I think we kind of woke up and realized that everyone is getting better every single day and this season is going to be long and hard considering the teams we have to go up against. We really have to push ourselves out,” said Davison, who complemented her 28 points with 10 excellent digs and 18 receptions.
“We had to focus on our side first. I feel our game is solely our game and we have to control whatever comes our way,” she added, explaining how PLDT regained its confidence after two stinging setbacks.
Capital1, which came into the contest hoping to extend its run of five-set matches, dropped to 2-2 as PLDT finally found the balance of firepower, discipline and defensive grit that had eluded it in its first two outings.
The Solar Spikers showed their trademark fight, with the fiery Bella Belen and the dependable Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler providing support around their leading scorer. But unlike in their previous matches, PLDT had answers at every turn, refusing to let Capital1 turn another tight contest into a marathon.
The High Speed Hitters absorbed the opening-set setback, regrouped and gradually imposed their will, leaning on Davison’s resurgent attack and a more cohesive team effort to seize control of the next three sets.
Capital1 made one final push in the fourth, rallying from a 3-6 deficit to draw level at 10 before grabbing the lead on a Cherry Nunag putaway that capped a long, tense exchange.
But PLDT would not be denied.
The teams traded four ties and two lead changes before Davison struck twice in succession to put the High Speed Hitters ahead, 16-14, at the second technical timeout.
From there, PLDT unleashed a vintage offensive surge. Setter Angge Alcantara spread the attack around, bringing her middle blockers into the mix as Palomata and Mika Reyes delivered to stretch the lead to 23-18.
Capital1 refused to fold. A thunderous back-row attack from Belen ignited a late rally, while Santos stuffed a Malaluan attempt to cap a 3-0 counterattack, sandwiched by a PLDT net violation, that trimmed the deficit to 21-23.
Dy, however, came through with a contested block against the Rookie of the Year to put PLDT at match point. Palomata then delivered the final blow, turning away Capital1’s last attempt through its go-to scorer and putting a decisive end to the Solar Spikers’ comeback hopes.
The victory was also a timely response to coach Arnold Laniog, who took over the coaching reins from head mentor Rald Ricafort, sidelined by the flu.
More importantly, PLDT avoided another costly stumble in the single-round-robin eliminations, where only the top four teams advance to the crossover semifinals. With nine teams jockeying for position in the opening of three series, every win carries added weight – and every loss threatens to complicate the road to the next round.
Dy bounced back from a seven-point outing against Akari with 11 markers, while Malaluan and Palomata chipped in nine and eight points, respectively. PLDT also held a 62-59 edge in attacks, underscoring how its offensive production finally matched its defensive intensity.
Capital1 had its share of firepower, with Belen finishing with 23 points, five fewer than Davison, while Gandler and Santos added 16 and 15, respectively.
But in a showdown where both sides had enough firepower to keep the scoreboard moving, PLDT made the difference at the net. After managing just five blocks against the Chargers, the High Speed Hitters more than doubled that total, using 12 stuffs to blunt Capital1’s attack and reclaim the winning feeling.
