High Speed Hitters seek to extend run; Kobe Shinwa debuts

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Games today (Saturday)

1:30 p.m. – Kobe Shinwa U vs ZUS Coffee

4 p.m. – PLDT vs Cignal

6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Chery Tiggo

PLDT, in peak form and brimming with confidence, looks to hike its record to 3-0 and extend its sizzling run to 10 straight wins overall as it faces sister team Cignal today (Saturday) in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Game time is at 4 p.m., headlining a triple-header slate that includes the much-anticipated Invitational debut of Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University against ZUS Coffee at 1:30 p.m., and a primetime showdown between Creamline and Chery Tiggo at 6:30 p.m.

The PLDT High-Speed Hitters opened its Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference with a one-sided win over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-16, 25-14, 25-18, on Aug. 21, 2025, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

PLDT picked up where they left off after weathering a late rally from the Crossovers when they squared off during the PVL On Tour grand finals just days ago.

On the first day of the regular season, the High-Speed Hitters made sure no comebacks would be made by Chery Tiggo, sweeping them in three dominant sets and finishing the match in style.

Despite missing key players Savannah Davison, setter Kim Fajardo, and Kim Kianna Dy, PLDT banked on its depth and received a balanced attack from Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Jessey De Leon.

Baron set the tone for the High-Speed Hitters after hosting a block party, supported by Reyes’ cross-court quick attacks dished out by Angge Alcantara who did a good job of filling the spot for Fajardo.

The Crossovers never threatened to inch closer in the opener and suffered a worse outing in the following set as unforced errors prevented them from scoring on their execution sets.

Continuing the momentum for PLDT was rookie Alleiah Malaluan, who came off the bench to provide the much-needed scoring punch.

Malaluan was fantastic in her PVL debut, delivering 11 points built from nine successful attacks to go along with 13 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions.

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers standout held the fort for PLDT when Chery Tiggo trimmed their deficit to just two points, 20-18, in the third and final set.

Malaluan stepped up when PLDT needed her the most, scoring two crucial points and a timely off-the-block kill that capped off an impressive 6-0 run.

Backstopping Malaluan was Baron, who steadied with 10 points and two blocks, while the duo of Reyes and De Leon added nine and eight markers, respectively.

The High-Speed Hitters will look to protect their unblemished record today against the Cignal HD Spikers in the last game of the scheduled doubleheader.

Adding international flair to the day’s action is the long-awaited debut of Kobe Shinwa Women’s University, a guest team from Japan. The Japanese PVL appearance was originally scheduled for last year but was shelved due to health concerns.

This time, they are more than ready.

Representing Japan’s elite collegiate volleyball circuit, Kobe Shinwa brings speed, discipline and precise execution. Kobe Shinwa’s clash with ZUS Coffee is expected to give fans a taste of high-caliber international play and will test just how well local teams can keep up with Japan’s structured, fast-paced style.

On the other side of the net, ZUS Coffee is out to prove it belongs on this stage. The team was a surprise package during the PVL On Tour, pulling off a number of upsets and showing they have what it takes to compete with the league’s best. Though the Thunderbelles eventually bowed out in the quarterfinals – ironically to the High Speed Hitters – the Thunderbelles shouldn’t take them lightly.

ZUS was a late addition to the Invitational after Kurashiki Ablaze, last year’s champion, withdrew citing coaching concerns. Farm Fresh was first invited to take over Kurashiki’s slot, but declined due to concerns about team readiness, opening the door for ZUS Coffee to take center stage.

With nothing to lose and everything to gain, ZUS Coffee could very well play the role of dark horse, especially if it carries over its fearless, nothing-to-lose approach from the On Tour.

Meanwhile, the Cool Smashers look to build on their gritty five-set win over the HD Spikers as they face the reeling Crossovers. With a 1-1 record, Creamline remains very much in the mix, powered by the formidable trio of Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez, who combined for a whopping 51 points in their last outing.

While Chery Tiggo welcomes back ace libero Jen Nierva, the Crossovers continued to struggle with consistency – a weakness the Cool Smashers will look to exploit.