PLDT wasted no time locking up the bronze medal after dispatching Farm Fresh anew, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5, in Game 2 of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference battle for third on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The High Speed Hitters handled business at the earliest possible opportunity, shutting the door on any chance of a statistical tiebreak that could have come into play had the finals concluded later in the day.
Instead, PLDT was dialed in off the bat, as it claimed the franchise's third Top 3 finish.
Those were all achieved in a span of four conferences, or since last year’s PVL on Tour - a stretch that highlights the High Speed Hitters' steady climb up the league hierarchy.
"Ni-remind na lang talaga namin sa kanila na magiging mental game na lang 'tong Game 2 dahil wala nang time to prepare," said head coach Rald Ricafort. "At least, kahit papano, nagbunga, lalo na du'n sa mga crucial stretches."
Kianna Dy and Savi Davison turned in commanding performances to outlast the Foxies in the two teams' fifth meeting this conference. Dy erupted for 21 points built on 14 attacks, a game-high six blocks, and one ace, while Davison delivered an all-around 20-point, 10-dig double-double.
Providing a timely lift, Kiesha Bedonia stepped up in place of an under-the-weather Alleiah Malaluan, finishing with 15 points, while Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron chipped in 10 points apiece.
Kath Arado was very much on top of the backline with 28 digs and 21 receptions, as Kim Fajardo steered the attack with 32 excellent sets.
High speed, indeed
Dy and Davison dominated a first-set landslide where they went on to lead by as much as 11.
But the response proved just as strong for Farm Fresh, as it was Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina’s turn to take command, with PLDT’s unsuccessful block touch challenge ultimately drawing the match.
Just before the Foxies can ride on their newfound momentum, Davison came through with her signature power, unloading back-to-back kills to wrest the lead back for the High Speed Hitters.
A Tubu-led fourth-set surge pushed Farm Fresh to a decider, but it was a fifth-set storm from PLDT that ultimately held firm, as the two-time champions pulled away by a commanding 10-point margin to seal their return to the podium.
Tubu’s 23-point explosion went for naught, along with Molina’s 12-point effort and Royse Tubino’s all-around line of nine points, 11 digs, and 10 receptions.
Nonetheless, the Foxies walked away with their best-ever finish at fourth.
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