PLDT Sweeps Farm Fresh With Late Set 3 Comeback

PLDT opened its PVL On Tour campaign with a resounding straight-set win, overcoming a gritty Farm Fresh squad, 25-18, 25-21, 28-26, Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

Fueled by experience, cohesion, and resilience, the High Speed Hitters rallied from a four-point deficit late in Set 3 to complete the sweep and deny the Foxies a breakthrough.

What started as a dominant showing turned into a test of character for PLDT, which leaned on its veteran core and rising stars to survive a tense finish.

Down 19-23, Kim Fajardo jumpstarted the comeback with a reverse 1-2 play that caught Farm Fresh off-guard.

Kiesha Bedonia followed with two clutch aces, capitalizing on miscommunication from Farm Fresh.

Shiela Kiseo then scored on a deflection off a block by Alohi Robins-Hardy, tying the set.

An attack error by Jolina dela Cruz handed PLDT the lead and match point on an 8-2 run.

Though Farm Fresh saved two match points and earned one of their own on a Robins-Hardy 1-2 play, PLDT held firm.

Mika Reyes responded with a running attack to tie the set once again.

A costly hitting error by Lorene Toring and a block by Reyes on Caitlin Viray sealed the win for PLDT after one hour and 29 minutes.

“It was nerve-wracking to be subbed in during a close stretch,” said Bedonia, who finished with a game-high 14 points and earned Best Player of the Game honors.

“But I just focused on what the coaches instructed—our targets, our system.”

With star Savi Davison unavailable, Bedonia and Jovy Prado stepped up to lead the attack.

Reyes chipped in 10 points, while Prado added nine.

Majoy Baron and Kim Dy combined for 13, helping PLDT edge Farm Fresh in attacks, 38-36.

PLDT also led in blocks, 8-6, and converted three aces compared to Farm Fresh’s four.

The High Speed Hitters took full advantage of the Foxies’ errors, scoring 29 points off turnovers while conceding 19.

Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu paced her team with 14 points, followed by Rizza Cruz with 10.

Dela Cruz and Viray added nine and six, respectively.

Despite showing flashes of potential, the Foxies are still adjusting to the system of new Italian head coach Alessandro Lodi.

Prado set the tone early, firing four quick points in the opening frame, where PLDT outhit Farm Fresh, 11-8, and led 3-1 in blocks.

The High Speed Hitters showed strong ball distribution and maintained momentum by converting 11 points off errors while committing only eight unforced mistakes.

Farm Fresh struggled to find rhythm, with lapses in execution derailing their runs.

In Set 2, behind Tubu’s heavy attacks and Cruz’s consistency, Farm Fresh briefly outgunned PLDT with 16 attack points.

But the Foxies’ service woes—eight errors to PLDT’s two—ultimately swung the momentum back.

Reyes closed the set with a quick kill, foiling Farm Fresh’s late charge.

PLDT, which finished fifth in the recent All-Filipino Conference, displayed balance, confidence and clutch execution—making a strong statement in its opening Pool A match.