PLDT eliminated fancied Choco Mucho from the quarterfinal race with a 21-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-19 victory on Thursday, Aug. 22, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The High Speed Hitters recovered from an opening set hiccup and turned to hard-hitting Elena Samoilenko to dispose of the Flying Titans and improve their win-loss record to 6-2.

The win earned PLDT the No. 4 seeding in the next knockout phase where they will clash with fifth seed Chery Tiggo.

Choco Mucho, for its part, absorbed a heartbreaking sixth loss against two wins to miss the quarters bus as Farm Fresh claimed the eighth spot with its 3-5 card.

The High Speed Hitters were ruthless in all fronts, attacking the net with 55 kills including 27 from Samoilenko, while swatting away 10 blocks.

They also torched the service area by unloading 11 aces.

Kiesha Bedonia also made her presence felt and pumped in 16 points highlighted by 13 kills, while Erika Santos fired 13 points.

Credit was also due to versatile setter Kim Fajardo, who distributed 17 excellent sets.

Choco Mucho struggled to lift its bearings as it played without import Zoi Faki, who was ill, and head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who was with the Alas Pilipinas for the second leg of the 2024 Men’s Southeast Asia V.League in Indonesia.

With an all-Filipino cast, only Dindin Manabat scored in twin figures for the Flying Titans with 22 points as skipper Maddie Madayag and Royse Tubino were held to nine and seven points, respectively.