PVL: PLDT slowly regains form in sweep of ZUS Coffee

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The PLDT High Speed Hitters overpowered the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, to build their first winning streak of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series on Oct. 29, 2026, at the Santiago Sports Arena in Isabela.

After a slow 0-2 start to the season, the High Speed Hitters finally regained their groove and followed up their breakthrough win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers with a more convincing outing against ZUS Coffee.

The one-two punch of Savannah Davison and Kim Kianna Dy led the charge for PLDT as the veteran duo repeatedly exploited gaps in the Thunderbelles’ struggling defense.

Davison spearheaded PLDT’s early offensive avalanche, scoring five of the team’s first 12 points in a blazing 12-3 start.

Although ZUS Coffee recovered and trimmed its deficit to just three points, Dy scored back-to-back off-the-block spikes before Dell Palomata led a much-needed defensive stand in the final stretch of the first set.

PLDT sealed the 1-0 lead with a Davison off-speed hit, Palomata’s block, and Jessa Ordiales’ cross-court drop. The same scenario unfolded in the ensuing set when the High Speed Hitters capitalized on ZUS Coffee’s sloppy start, establishing a 16-10 lead and never looking back.

ZUS Coffee had a more decent start in the third set, doubling its defensive efforts every time Angge Alcantara fed Davison in the back row.

However, the Thunderbelles’ comeback hopes quickly evaporated when the High Speed Hitters staged a demoralizing 12-2 run midway through the set, en route to a dominant 3-0 victory.

Davison led PLDT with an all-around effort of 13 points on 12 successful attacks and one block, alongside nine excellent receptions and three excellent digs.

Dy delivered eight points on six successful attacks and two blocks, while Palomata chipped in six points and Alcantara registered 13 excellent sets.

PLDT will look to make it three wins in a row on Nov. 5 when it faces the unbeaten Creamline Cool Smashers, while ZUS Coffee aims to end its losing streak on the same date against the Farm Fresh Foxies.