PLDT carved out a 25-18, 25-22, 25-17 win over Galeries Tower to move a step closer to a qualifying-round berth in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
The High Speed Hitters improved to 6-1, becoming the first team to reach six wins in the tournament after seven games and tightening their grip near the top of the standings.
They’re now just one win away from locking up a spot in the four-team qualifying round, with an outright semifinals berth at stake.
“Before the game, mga reminders lang, ibigay ‘yung respect sa Galeries kasi lalo na’t this conference, very capable ‘yung lineup,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Nakita rin namin ‘yung mga upsets nila sa mga ibang teams so naging game talaga siya about sa discipline na gusto namin i-impose and hindi kailangan maglaro nang extra special.”
The match went back-and-forth early in the opener before PLDT seized control, ripping off five straight points from a slim 15-14 edge to stretch the lead to six.
Galeries Tower had a firmer grasp of the second set, holding recurring three-point leads as it tried to level the match.
But trailing 13-16, Savi Davison sparked a decisive 10-2 PLDT run that flipped the frame in the High Speed Hitters’ favor, 23-18.
The Highrisers managed to stave off two set points from 20-24, but Davison slammed the door shut with PLDT’s last two attack points to give them a two-set lead.
PLDT once again stumbled out of the gates in the third set, conceding the first four points in another shaky start.
But with Davison still leading the charge, the High Speed Hitters erased the early deficit and flipped it into a 13-12 advantage.
From there, PLDT slammed the door with a 16-6 finishing kick, punctuated by a Kianna Dy attack to seal its third straight victory.
The Fil-Canadian winger pumped in 21 points along with seven receptions in just three sets, while Mika Reyes anchored the net with four blocks to highlight her 10-point outing.
Alleiah Malaluan also made her presence felt on both ends, finishing with nine points, 14 receptions and seven digs.
Kim Fajardo orchestrated the PLDT offense with 15 excellent sets, just one shy of fellow La Salle product and national team playmaker Julia Coronel, who tallied 16 for Galeries Tower.
No Highriser reached double figures in scoring, with rookie Jean Asis leading the way with nine points, including two blocks.
Gayle Pascual chipped in eight points, while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas added seven, and Erika Deloria also finished with seven points to go with six digs and six receptions.
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