High Speed Hitters regroup, spoil Belen’s 28-point explosion

Games Saturday, February 14, 2026
(Ynares Center, Antipolo)
4 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs. Farm Fresh
6:30 p.m. – Cignal vs. Nxled

Stung by Capital1’s fierce third-set uprising, PLDT roared back with a blistering display of power and poise to hammer out a 25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17 victory in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan on Thursday night — spoiling another explosive scoring show from Bella Belen.

The High Speed Hitters refused to let the Solar Spikers build on their Set 3 momentum, reasserting control early in the fourth behind Alleiah Malaluan’s three straight points that fueled an 11-4 surge. Though Belen dazzled with her all-around scoring brilliance — attacking from the wings and uncorking thunderous back-row hits — PLDT answered every rally with timely counters and disciplined net defense, as their middle blockers efficiently complemented their wing spikers.

A deep corner strike from Savi Davison and a rare Belen attack miscue widened the gap to 19-12, and PLDT withstood one last offensive push from the Solar Spikers before Mika Reyes sealed the one-hour, 53-minute triumph with a quick attack.

The win lifted PLDT to 2-0, tying Nxled for second place behind unbeaten Cignal (3-0), while dimming the glow of Belen’s scintillating 28-point eruption.

Kim Dy anchored PLDT’s offense with 20 points on an impressive 52% attacking efficiency to bag Best Player of the Game honors.

“I guess we used our first game as momentum coming into this game,” said Dy, referring to their straight-set romp over the Creamline Cool Smashers.

Despite Belen’s scoring outburst, PLDT still controlled the attack battle, 61-52. But it was the High Speed Hitters’ imposing presence at the net that truly defined the match. They erected a virtual wall against the Solar Spikers, racking up 15 blocks — nine more than their opponents — repeatedly stifling Capital1’s rhythm and turning momentum-shifting rallies in their favor.

“We really prepared for Capital1 and kudos to them — they really gave a good game. Nakakapagod silang kalaban,” she added, crediting the Solar Spikers’ determined stand.

Looking ahead, Dy, who also finished with 11 excellent digs, said: “Same lang ang strategy every game. Tinuturuan kami ni coach (Rald Ricafort) what we are supposed to do and we always practice the team’s game plan in training. But I wouldn’t have done it without my teammates — everyone played well today.”

Still, the night once again belonged, in many ways, to Belen’s extraordinary talent. After firing 26 points in a win over ZUS Coffee and 23 in a previous loss to Nxled, the young star erupted for 28 markers, showcasing her complete offensive arsenal. She punished PLDT from the wings, then seamlessly transitioned to the back row throughout the match, delivering consecutive back-row bombs in the fourth to keep Capital1 within striking distance at 15-21.

She narrowly missed the 30-point mark after rotating to the back row at crunch time and committing a costly service error that hastened PLDT’s finishing run. Even in defeat, however, Belen, who also came through with 12 excellent receptions, underscored her status as one of the league’s most electrifying scorers.

Capital1, which also drew 13 points from Shaya Adorador, slipped to 1-2.

Savi Davison matched Dy’s 20-point effort while Majoy Baron and Reyes contributed 11 and nine points, respectively. Malaluan came off the bench to fire eight markers and Jovie Prado added seven points.

A week after sweeping Creamline in emphatic fashion, PLDT appeared poised for another statement finish. But Capital1, anchored by Belen’s brilliance and fueled by sheer grit, refused to go quietly — stealing the third set and forcing the High Speed Hitters to earn every point.

Belen set the tone early, accounting for five of the Solar Spikers’ first six points, including an ace off her trademark jump serve that pushed Capital1 ahead, 8-6. From there, the Solar Spikers dug in. They chased down loose balls, extended rallies, and repeatedly disrupted PLDT’s rhythm, showing a level of fight that belied the lopsided score line of the second frame.

With Sydney Niegos and Ezra Madrigal providing timely support, Capital1 stayed within striking distance through a mix of gutsy swings and disciplined defense. They capitalized on PLDT’s rare lapses — particularly late in the set when the High Speed Hitters, usually steady in crunch time, faltered. Two costly service errors by Shiela Kiseo and Angge Alcantara blunted PLDT’s rally attempt and gave the Solar Spikers the opening they needed.

Sensing opportunity, Capital1 tightened its grip. Belen, who ignited the charge, fittingly delivered the finishing blow. On a broken play off a scrambling second ball, she tooled the block with a sharp off-the-hands hit to seal the set and extend the match.

But they were shut down by the fired-up High Speed Hitters in the fourth.