
By NIKOLE JAVIER
PLDT found its winning touch with a 25-19, 25-12, 25-21 sweep of Army Black Mamba in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The High Speed Hitters, who got on wrong footing in their PVL opener, managed to turn back the Lady Troopers’ third-set surge to register their first victory of the season.
Kat Arado finished with 33 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
Mary Anne Mendrez had 11 points to help the High Speed Hitters in the quick victory.
After trailing by one midway through the third set, PLDT averted a collapse following Mich Morente’s crosscourt attack that tied the game at 12-all.
Morente will continue to spread the lead by five after capping the High Speed Hitters’ 6-1 run from the service area with an ace.
Army Black Mamba will pull itself within two in the closing stages, 23-21, after Royse Tubino’s powerful crosscourt hit.
However, Jovielyn Prado’s down-the-line kill and Rhea Dimaculangan’s ace will tie the game together for PLDT, keeping Army in the dust with a 15-game losing streak dating back to the Invitational Conference last year.
Tubino’s eight-point outing and the rest of the Lady Troopers’ single-digit production barely had any significance in their season-opening campaign.
In the earlier play, Chery Tiggo blanked F2 Logistics in a straight-set victory, 25-19, 25-14, 25-16, to join Creamline atop the team standings with an early 3-0 lead in the tournament.
The Crossovers had balanced scoring, with four players in double figures including Mylene Paat who finished with 22.
On the other hand, the Cargo Movers were limited in the offensive production as they fell into a 2-1 slate.