PLDT opened its 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference campaign strong after a 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 victory that stifled Bella Belen and Capital1’s repeat debut on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The High Speed Hitters win their first match since completing a combined 13-game sweep of both the PVL on Tour and Invitational for their first two league titles as they now set their eyes on getting a major one - their first title in a full-blown campaign.
This 14-game win streak now stands as the third-longest in PVL history, just five behind Creamline’s unprecedented pair of 19-game unbeaten runs from 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025.
PVL Invitational MVP Savi Davison posted seven of PLDT’s 16 blocks to cap her 22-piece for the team’s first win of the new season.
Former Russian national team ace Anastasiia Bavykina became Davison's second fiddle on offense with 15 points and 10 receptions.
Kianna Dy, who was crucial in neutralizing Capital1 rookie Bella Belen at the net, had 10 points on six attacks and four blocks paired with nine digs.
"Okay sa’min na laging nakakaunang panalo. Marami pa kaming kailangan ayusin pero kinuha talaga namin si Anastasiia for a major support role. Kumbaga, nag-aalign siya sa team namin eh. ‘Yung mga kulang namin siya ang nagpupuna," said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
"Nagulat kami with their import, pero ina-anticipate naman namin na tulad ng ibang imports ng ibang teams, talagang bubuhatin in a way ‘yung offense. ‘Yun nga kahit may import, malaking bagay pa rin si Bella [Belen] at Leila [Cruz]."
Not a bright restart
As for the Solar Spikers, they suffer another slim straight-sets loss similar to their discarded 31-33, 24-26, 23-25 opener against Choco Mucho last Tuesday in Montalban, Rizal.
It wasn't a triple double this time but Belen still made a strong impression with 13 points and nine digs.
Ukrainian winger Oleksandra Bytsenko topscored with 20 markers and 12 receptions.
Making matters worse for Capital was a late injury scare to its team captain Roma Doromal who took a hard fall at the 12-14 mark of the third set after diving for the ball in a failed dig attempt.
It has since been confirmed that Doromal suffered muscle cramps in the stomach area upon drawing contact with the floor.
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