PLDT’s dream of a third straight title is still alive.
The High Speed Hitters atoned for their lone group-stage loss by toppling Cignal, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference knockout quarterfinals on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
They are now assured of a ninth straight conference over a two-year span finishing within the top five.
Up for grabs in Thursday’s semifinal against ZUS Coffee is a chance to top their PVL on Tour and Invitational title wins earlier this year with a third championship crown.
"Happy lang ako na from the loss to Petro Gazz, nag-respond ulit 'yung mga players namin ngayon kahit nandu'n 'yung challenge at 'yung bigat [ng stakes sa quarterfinals]," said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
"Na-overcome namin 'yun and malaking bagay din para sa'min na gumana lahat."
The match was largely one-sided, save for a late third-set hiccup where the Super Spikers managed to overturn an early 7-0 PLDT blitz to force a fourth-set extension.
But with Savi Davison still waxing hot on offense and Alleiah Malaluan stepping in to apply the finishing touches, there was no stopping the High Speed Hitters’ march to the Final Four.
Davison continued her MVP-level run with a near triple-double of 21 points, 13 receptions and nine digs.
Russian import Anastasiia Bavykina closely followed with a steady 15-point outing alongside 12 digs and six receptions.
Taft towers Majoy Baron and Kianna Dy combined for eight of the team’s 13 blocks while chipping in a joint 20-point performance.
Mika Reyes added seven markers, while Malaluan maximized her lone-set cameo in the fourth frame, stepping in for Bavykina, to deliver four clutch points.
Cignal crashes out
Slovakian spiker Katrin Trebichavska wrapped up her short-lived PVL stint with a triple-double of 18 points, 17 digs, and 14 receptions.
Erika Santos and Jackie Acuña chipped in 12 markers apiece, while Ishie Lalongisip added nine points and seven receptions.
But Gel Cayuna’s 21 excellent sets and Dawn Catindig’s 21 digs ultimately went for naught as the Super Spikers’ shaky campaign came to an early close.
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