Streaking High Speed Hitters, Titans eye wins vs. reeling rivals

Standings	W	L	Points
Cignal	5	2	16
Creamline	5	1	14
PLDT	5	1	14
Choco Mucho	3	3	9
Nxled	3	4	9
Akari	3	3	9
Farm Fresh	2	4	9
Capital1	3	4	7
Galeries Tower	2	4	6
ZUS Coffee	1	6	3

 

Games today, March 10, 2026

4 p.m. — PLDT vs. Galeries Tower

6:30 p.m. — Farm Fresh vs. Choco Mucho

PLDT and Choco Mucho try to capitalize on their recent surge as they take on struggling rivals when action in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries resumes Tuesday at the FilOil Playtime Centre.

Both squads enter their respective matches brimming with confidence after strong performances in their previous outings, but neither expects an easy path against opponents eager to halt their slide.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters, currently sporting a 5-1 record, will go for nothing less than the solo lead when they face the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the 4 p.m. match.

Another victory would allow PLDT to overtake sister squad Cignal at the top of the standings heading into the closing stretch of the single-round preliminaries.

After seeing their three-game winning streak snapped by the Super Spikers, the High Speed Hitters quickly regained their rhythm, dispatching the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in straight sets before outlasting the Farm Fresh Foxies in a gritty five-set duel.

The recent victories have reinforced PLDT’s growing confidence, with its deep rotation providing multiple scoring options.

Savi Davison and Kim Dy continue to power the offense, while the imposing frontline of Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron gives the team a major edge at the net.

Backstopping the attack are wing spikers Jessey de Leon, Alleiah Malaluan, Jovie Prado, and Kiesha Bedonia, giving PLDT the versatility and depth that have made it one of the conference’s most balanced squads.

“Well, ang mindset naman this conference regardless kung sino kalaban, kung ano ‘man yung ranking nila, wala na magiging basis eh kung ano yung magiging laro,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.

“Kita nyo naman yung kanina, kita nyo rin yung ibang games, kahit sino talaga so ang nagiging challenge ko nalang talaga sa players regardless ng results mabilis mag-move on and magprepare ulit sa susunod na laro,” he added.

Still, the Highrisers cannot be taken lightly.

Despite dropping their last two matches to Choco Mucho and Creamline, Galeries Tower previously stunned Nxled and has shown flashes of brilliance.

With a 2-4 card, the Highrisers are eager to regain traction heading into the crucial stretch, with coach Clarence Esteban expected to lean on Jean Asis, Aiza Pontillas, Erika Deloria, Roselle Baliton, Erika Raagas, Gayle Pascual, Lycha Ebon, and setter Julia Coronel to rediscover their rhythm.

Containing PLDT’s powerful attack, however, will be a major challenge.

At 6:30 p.m., the Flying Titans also look to stretch their winning streak to three when they battle the beleaguered Foxies.

Choco Mucho appears to have found its groove after a string of injury-plagued conferences, with Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure forming a dynamic scoring tandem, while the rest of the roster continues to provide solid support on both ends.

The Flying Titans’ improved chemistry and confidence have fueled their push for a stronger position, as they currently hold the No. 4 spot in the standings.

“Syempre tatrabahuhin ulit namin. Ibibigay namin sa mga players namin kung ano ‘yung dapat naming gawin,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

But Farm Fresh remains a dangerous opponent.

Despite losing its last two matches — both in five sets — the Foxies have proven capable of pushing stronger teams to the limit.

Trisha Tubu continues to be one of the league’s most explosive scorers and is expected to spearhead the offense alongside Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Mylene Paat, Riri Meneses, Rizza Cruz, and Jolina Dela Cruz, with veteran Ara Galang also hoping to earn more court time.

With the top four teams advancing directly to the Qualifying Round, every win remains crucial as the race toward the semifinals intensifies.

While PLDT and Choco Mucho enter the matches riding waves of momentum and confidence, the unpredictability of the league means nothing is guaranteed — especially with opponents eager to turn their fortunes around before the postseason picture fully takes shape.