PLDT shrugs off first-set woes to frustrate Chery Tiggo

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The PLDT High-Speed Hitters overcame a sloppy opening set performance and dominated Chery Tiggo EV in the last three frames, 26-28, 25-12, 25-16, 25-13, in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Nov. 15, 2025, at the Ynares Center.

After committing some costly defensive miscues that allowed Chery Tiggo to come back from a 20-22 deficit, the High-Speed Hitters slowed down in the most crucial stretch of the extended play and conceded a 0-1 start.

Cuban import Yunieska Batista picked up where she left off, providing the much-needed offensive spark for Chery Tiggo, backstopped by Ara Galang’s crucial hits when the first set reached three deuces.

However, PLDT adjusted in a jiffy at the start of the second set, completely stealing the momentum of the game behind Savannah Davison’s offensive explosion.

Davison took matters into her own hands and entered an unconscious state, scoring the leather and pummeling every cross-court set that was delivered on-point.

Through Davison’s much-needed scoring and PLDT’s line of defense, the High-Speed Hitters took care of business in lopsided fashion to equalize the game at 1-all.

Unfortunately for Chery Tiggo, PLDT’s second-set rundown was replicated in the third, with Russian reinforcement Anastasiia Bavykina joining the offensive party.

Bavykina continued what Davison started and erupted in the third, banking on her clever court mastery to pile up the crafty drop ball points.

Chery Tiggo tried to reshuffle their lineup several times in the fourth and final set to disrupt PLDT’s rhythm, but the High-Speed Hitters just proved to be too much and sealed the deal with another one-sided set.

Davison was on another level during the come-from-behind dub, leading PLDT with 36 big points built from 33 successful attacks, 10 excellent digs, and two service aces.

Meanwhile, Bavykina chipped in 16 markers derived from 11 successful attacks, 10 excellent receptions, four service aces, and a block.

The High-Speed Hitters will look to continue their quest for PVL glory on Nov. 20, as they challenge the rolling Petro Gazz Angels, who are fresh from a convincing win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers.