PVL: PLDT maintains lethal form in sweep of Capital1

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The PLDT High-Speed Hitters passed their first test with flying colors after pulling off a straight-sets win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-22, 25-20, 25-23, in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Oct. 13, 2025, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Fresh off winning back-to-back conference titles during the PVL On Tour and the PVL Invitational, the High-Speed Hitters picked up where they left off, racking up their league-winning streak to 14 straight games entering the Reinforced Conference.

Known for their brick-wall-like middle blocking, PLDT once again showed why defense wins championships as the High-Speed Hitters capped off the sweeping victory with 16 total blocks.

Spearheading PLDT’s block party was PVL Invitational Most Valuable Player (MVP) Savannah Davison, who finished the game with seven blocks and 22 points built from 20 successful attacks.

The two-way player spoiled Capital1’s chances in the opening set after scoring two crucial blocks in the final stretch, iced with an off-speed spike that put PLDT in the driver’s seat heading to the second frame.

Backstopping Davison’s first-set masterclass was Anastasiia Bavykina, PLDT’s import, who was formerly part of the Russian national volleyball team.

Bavykina set the tone for PLDT when the second set kicked off, pummeling down-the-line hits while also fortifying the High-Speed Hitters’ tremendous floor defense.

The Russian ace wrapped up her first PVL win with 15 markers derived from 12 successful attacks, 10 excellent receptions, six excellent digs, and three blocks.

However, Capital1 found its footing midway through the third set, dragging the contest into a marathon, courtesy of Oleksandra Bytsenko’s resurgence.

The Ukrainian reinforcement scored six of Capital1’s final eight points, while prized top pick Bella Belen dropped two markers and a series of excellent digs that delayed PLDT’s winning moment.

Unfortunately, Kim Kianna Dy, Davison, and Bavykina joined hands in the final four game possessions that officially marked PLDT’s first win in the import-laced conference.

The High-Speed Hitters will look to sustain their convincing start on Oct. 16, against the undefeated Choco Mucho Flying Titans, while Capital1 aims to notch its first PVL win on the same date against the NXLED Chameleons.