PLDT survives Choco Mucho; Nxled sweeps Capital1

Games on Aug. 1

Polomolok, South Cotabato

4 p.m. — Nxled vs. Galeries Tower

6:30 p.m. — Akari vs. Choco Mucho

PLDT launched its PVL On Tour title defense with a hard-earned four-set victory over a depleted but determined Choco Mucho squad, 25-21, 20-25, 29-27, 25-18, Saturday night at the Chavit Coliseum in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Rather than delivering an expected statement win, the High Speed Hitters were forced into a tense test of resilience, composure, and execution against a Flying Titans side missing several key players.

PLDT recovered from a second-set collapse, survived an extended third-set battle, and relied on its experience in the fourth frame to secure its first victory of the preseason tournament.

Kim Dy led the High Speed Hitters’ attack, while Savi Davison, Alleiah Malaluan, Kiesha Bedonia, Mika Reyes, and Majoy Baron delivered timely contributions on offense and defense.

The victory lifted PLDT to a 1-0 record, joining Galeries Tower and Creamline behind early leader ZUS Coffee, which swept its first two matches in the tournament being held in volleyball-loving cities across the country.

Dy celebrated her 31st birthday Sunday, July 26, after scoring 17 points in the two-hour, 18-minute contest.

She also delivered the match-clinching combination play and earned Player of the Game honors.

Davison scored 13 points despite playing only three sets, while Reyes finished with 12.

Baron added 10 points, Malaluan contributed nine, and Bedonia chipped in seven.

Choco Mucho dropped to 0-2 after previously suffering a straight-set loss to ZUS Coffee.

The Flying Titans’ record, however, did not reflect the resistance they showed against the defending champions.

Choco Mucho played without national team standouts Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure, as well as veteran scorer Kat Tolentino, who continues to recover from surgery for a ruptured appendix.

Caitlyn Viray led Choco Mucho with 16 points, while Isa Molde contributed 14.

Jewel Encarnacion scored 10 points, Mean Mendez added eight, and Ayesha Juegos finished with six.

The Flying Titans lost momentum midway through the fourth set as PLDT regained control and used its strength and depth to pull away.

Choco Mucho refused to allow PLDT to dictate the match and forced the champions to work for every point.

After surrendering the second set, the High Speed Hitters responded with renewed purpose in the third.

Dy sparked the offense, while PLDT improved its floor defense and blocking to establish a commanding 16-8 lead.

The Flying Titans answered with an 8-3 run built on determined floor defense, timely attacks, and sustained pressure to trim the deficit to 16-19.

Choco Mucho continued its comeback until Viray hammered an attack that tied the score at 24 and forced the pivotal set into an extension.

Molde later put the Flying Titans ahead, 26-25, with a powerful attack that appeared to move them within one point of taking the frame.

PLDT successfully challenged for a block touch on Bedonia’s attack, overturning the point and shifting momentum back to the High Speed Hitters.

Reyes then converted consecutive quick attacks through the middle.

Her second strike ended an extended rally and pushed PLDT ahead, 28-27.

Choco Mucho continued to extend rallies through aggressive floor coverage and defensive hustle, but Malaluan finally ended the set with a clean down-the-line winner.

The 29-27 result gave PLDT a crucial two-sets-to-one advantage and proved to be the turning point of the match.

The High Speed Hitters carried that momentum into the fourth set.

Dy, Malaluan, and Bedonia fueled a 10-7 surge that allowed PLDT to create separation.

The defending champions combined composure, defensive discipline, and a deeper rotation to widen the lead to 19-13.

PLDT maintained control down the stretch as the Flying Titans’ challenge faded.

Despite the defeat, Choco Mucho demonstrated that it could compete with the league’s top teams even without three of its primary scorers.

The Flying Titans matched the defending champions’ intensity and repeatedly threatened to take control of the match before PLDT’s depth prevailed.

Chameleons survive gritty Solar Spikers

Nxled used its superior depth and firepower to overcome a severely depleted Capital1 squad, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18, in the other PVL On Tour match Saturday at the Chavit Coliseum.

The Chameleons secured the straight-set victory despite playing without Brooke Van Sickle in their rotation.

Capital1 entered the contest without national team standouts Bella Belen, Erika Santos, and Vanie Gandler.

Nxled dominated the opening set, but the Solar Spikers mounted determined challenges in the next two frames.

Capital1 repeatedly threatened to extend the match before its limited rotation caught up with the team in the closing stages.

Nxled relied on its deeper bench and steadier execution in pressure situations to complete the victory in one hour and 58 minutes.

The win evened the Chameleons’ record at 1-1.

Nxled previously dropped a four-set decision to Creamline in its preseason opener in Ilagan City, Isabela, on July 8.

Capital1 absorbed its first defeat after beginning the match without three of its leading scorers because of national team duties.

Jonah Escamillan took control in the third set with three consecutive power hits that stopped the Solar Spikers’ comeback attempt.

Her third attack gave Nxled a 21-18 lead and shifted the momentum firmly in the Chameleons’ favor.

Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips followed with back-to-back points during extended rallies that highlighted both teams’ floor defense and coverage.

Nxled also disrupted Capital1 with timely blocks before Pablo denied Ysa Jimenez to send the Chameleons to match point.

EJ Laure completed the sweep with an ace that prevented the Solar Spikers from mounting a final rally.

Pablo finished with 17 points, including four blocks, to earn Player of the Game honors.

She credited Nxled’s relaxed approach, discipline, and communication for its bounce-back victory.

“We simply enjoyed the game and followed our coaches’ instructions on what we needed to do on the court. We were also happy that we were able to execute everything we had been working on in training over the past few days,” said Pablo in Filipino.

“We played without putting pressure on ourselves, and our communication was a big factor. Everyone stayed connected and trusted each other instead of trying to do everything individually,” added the multi-titled hitter.

Escamillan supported Pablo with 13 points, including two blocks.

Phillips contributed seven points, while Jovelyn Fernandez added six.

Lyann De Guzman scored five points, and Chiara Permentilla finished with four.

Capital1 did not have a player reach double figures.

Shaya Adorador led the Solar Spikers with six points.

Trisha Genesis, Sydney Niegos, and Jimenez scored five points apiece.

Nxled held a 45-34 advantage in attacks and dominated the net with a 10-3 edge in blocks.

The Chameleons also led the service department, 5-1.

Nxled’s offensive production offset its 20 unforced errors.

The Chameleons also collected 16 free points from Capital1’s miscues.

Rookies Detdet Pepito and Khy Cepada delivered promising performances in their professional debuts.

Pepito provided a steady backcourt presence and anchored Capital1’s floor defense.

Cepada contributed four points in her first professional appearance.