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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider High Speed Hitters poised to storm into finals

High Speed Hitters poised to storm into finals

Published Aug 24, 2025 02:38 pm

At A Glance

  • With a flawless 3-0 record, the High Speed Hitters stand just one win away from practically securing their place in the finals – a winner-take-all affair on Sunday, Aug. 31, at the Araneta Coliseum.
ROOKIE SENSATION Alleiah Malaluan is expected to anchor PLDT anew. (PVL)
ROOKIE SENSATION Alleiah Malaluan is expected to anchor PLDT anew. (PVL)
Fresh off a championship sweep in the PVL On Tour, PLDT shoots for another finals appearance in the Invitationals when it battles Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University on Monday, Aug. 25, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
With a flawless 3-0 record, the High Speed Hitters stand just one win away from practically securing their place in the finals – a winner-take-all affair on Sunday, Aug. 31, at the Araneta Coliseum.
The High Speed Hitters have not only looked invincible – they’ve been untouchable. And that would be shown again when they clash with the top Japanese collegiate team at 4 p.m.
In the 6:30 p.m. main game, ZUS Coffee and Cignal HD Spikers clash in a must-win to keep their slim finals hopes alive. 
Though Cignal sits winless at 0-3, the Thunderbelles could still barge into finals contention if they pull off a sweep of their remaining four games.
With the explosive hitting duo of Savi Davison and rookie sensation Alleiah Malaluan, the intimidating net presence of Kim Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes and Dell Palomata, or the steady contributions from Jovie Prado, Jessey de Leon and Kiesha Bedonia, PLDT has shown no weak links.
Malaluan, recently integrated into the squad after national team duties with Alas Pilipinas, has made an immediate impact. The former La Salle standout and ninth overall pick in the recent rookie draft marked her PVL debut with consecutive Best Player of the Game honors – highlighted by her 11 points against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and 12 markers versus the Cignal HD Spikers.
But they can’t take their rivals easily.
The young but dangerous Japanese team debuted with a statement shutout win over ZUS Coffee and now aims to derail the High Speed Hitters’ dominant campaign.
But toppling PLDT will take more than resolve – it will take near-perfect execution to penetrate the team’s impenetrable defense and relentless offensive tempo.
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