PVL: Mika Reyes propels PLDT past Army Black Mamba for first semis win
PLDT’s Mika Reyes. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Mika Reyes sustained her fine play as PLDT jumpstarted its semifinal campaign with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-21 victory over Army Black Mamba in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
Reyes, the league’s leading blocker, unleashed a game-high 16 points off 15 attacks and a block, as her fellow middle blocker Dell Palomata delivered 12 points to give the High Speed Hitters their first win in the semis round-robin.
The La Salle standout also provided the clutch hits in the last two sets, scoring the game-winning attack in the third. She nailed the last three points of the second set.
Veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan distributed 24 excellent sets, as Toni Basas chipped in 11 points. Fiola Ceballos had 10 points, 15 digs, and 14 receptions, while Jules Samonte added nine markers and 12 digs.
“I always tell them to start strong and finish the game by executing our plays. Fortunately, we achieved it in today’s game,” said PLDT head coach George Pascua in Filipino. “But we still have a lot of adjustments to make since our next games will be more challenging.”
The High Speed Hitters will face their sister team, the Cignal HD Spikers, on Thursday at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo. Only the top two squads of the semis round will reach the winner-take-all final.
Foreign teams Kobe Shinwa University of Japan and KingWhale Taipei will join the midseason tournament race starting Monday next week.
Army’s leading scorer Jovelyn Gonzaga was limited to just six points as they dropped their first semis game.
Royse Tubino led the Lady Troopers with 10 points, while Nene Bautista provided the spark off the bench with eight markers.
Army tries to bounce back against Creamline on Thursday.
