PLDT caught the last bus to the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals after beating Chery Tiggo, 25-21, 16-25, 25-23, 25-27, 15-12, on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Me-an Mendres player led the way with 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks as PLDT clinched the sixth and last place in the next round while sending the Crossovers down to the classification phase.
The High Speed Hitters join the Creamline Cool Smashers, Cignal HD Spikers, and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, and two foreign guest teams in a single-round robin semifinal round starting this Thursday.
Dell Palomata and Michelle Morente tallied14 and 12 markers, respectively, for PLDT.
“Lahat ng pinaghirapan namin sa off-season, nagbubunga kahit nagkukulang kami ng isa, which sabi naman ni coach na kahit kulang kami ng isang player, hindi naman nakulangan sa strength namin,” said Mendres.
“Pinaghirapan ng buong team para pumasok kami sa semifinals. Lahat ng hirap namin sa training, sakit sa katawan, as in process-by-process nagawa namin in game tsaka hindi kami sumuko,” Palomata added.
Veteran Mylene Paat topscored with 29 points off 22 attacks, four blocks, and three aces while Pauline Gaston added 16 points for Chery Tiggo, which finished group play with a 2-2 record.
The two squads traded blows in the final canto until a 4-1 finishing kick by the High Speed Hitters spelled the difference between victory and defeat.
PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort commended his troops for showing resiliency in light of Jovy Prado's ACL injury.
“Ang mindset lang namin today, talagang wag nang bigyan ng pressure kung sino mananalo yun yung makakapasok. Basta normal game, kailangan level lang palagi, tapos yung motivation namin na extra yung kay Jov [Prado] kasi gusto namin bigay talaga sa kanya,” said Ricafort.
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