HO Chi Minh pulled off a stunner of seismic proportions on Thursday, taking down no less than defending champion PLDT, 28-26, 19-25, 25-21, 25-16, for the biggest upset yet of the 2026 PVL Invitational at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Vietnamese side entered the match without a win after getting thoroughly run over in its first two outings, making the breakthrough victory all the more stunning.
But Ho Chi Minh refused to play the role of tournament punching bag, instead introducing itself to the field by knocking down then out one of the league's heavyweights.
The shock loss put the High Speed Hitters' title defense in serious peril, dropping two games in a row after getting swept by Nxled last Tuesday to go from one of the early favorites to a team fighting to stay alive.
PLDT's showdown with Farm Fresh on Friday now becomes a virtual must-win, with another setback threatening to leave the reigning titlists out of the finals picture altogether.
Ho Chi Minh, meanwhile, just proved that no team can be counted out.
“This game is a big turnaround for us in terms of getting ready, preparing, and really taking everything that we've worked for and applying and challenging ourselves to play at the highest level here in the Philippines,” said Ho Chi Minh team coordinator Tommy Le.
The upset forced a three-way tie at 1-2 among Ho Chi Minh, PLDT, and Farm Fresh, with a four-way logjam still possible depending on the EST Cola-Nxled result.
Surprise, surprise
Ho Chi Minh survived an extended opening set and another tight third after losing steam in the second, only to come out swinging in the fourth with a 13-5 finishing run that sealed the match and the shocker.
Setter Nguyen Thi Hoai Mi starred with 22 excellent sets and three points as four Ho Chi Minh spikers scored in double figures.
Captain Dang Thi Kim Thanh had 19 points and 13 digs, 16-year-old Ho Thi Bich Diep added 18, while Le Thi My Xuyen and Dao Thi Nhung chipped in 14 apiece.
Kianna Dy took over 25 points for PLDT, while Savi Davison's 16-point, 19-reception, 14-dig triple-double went for naught as the defending champions absorbed a second straight loss after Tuesday's sweep defeat to Nxled.
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