Kim Kianna Dy.–Photo from PLDT High Speed Hitters
MANILA, Philippines — PLDT forms a potent combo as star opposite spiker Kianna Dy teams up with Filipino-Canadian hitter Savannah Davison in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
The High Speed Hitters on Sunday completed the unveiling of their recruitment spree with Dy joining her fellow F2 Logistics teammates Kim Fajardo and Majoy Baron.
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort is excited to coach as she joins Davison, who emerged as the top scorer of the league in the second All-Filipino Conference with 202 points built on 173 kills, 22 blocks, and seven aces in the elimination round.
“For Sav and KKD, I think the offense and first line of defense will have an impact. Both are good blockers and very athletic,” Ricafort told INQUIRER.net “As long as we will be able to bring back the condition of KKD so same with Fajardo and Baron. The challenge is to keep them healthy and bring back their top condition.”
FILE–Kim Kianna Dy.–PVL PHOTO
The 28-year-old Dy was sidelined in the whole second All-Filipino Conference — F2 Logistics’ final PVL tournament before its disbandment — due to a knee injury sustained during the latter part of the Invitational Conference.
The former La Salle star, who was under the system of coach Ramil De Jesus since college and since F2 was formed in 2016, hopes to help the High Speed Hitters reach their goal as she, Baron, and Fajardo embark on a new journey this season.
“Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary sometimes. But at the same time, that’s when you realize that you can learn so much more from new coaches and teammates,” Dy said. “Knowing that there’s still so much to learn inspires me to thrive and work harder. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but I hope we can meet the expectations set for us here in PLDT.”
Dy, a former UAAP Season 78 Finals MVP and the inaugural PNVF Champions League MVP, is out to add more firepower to PLDT, which has yet to reach the PVL Finals since returning to the Sports Vision league in 2021.
Ricafort marvels at the hunger and determination of the former F2 trio to regain their old forms and help the High Speed Hitters, who reached the semifinals in the first two conferences of the 2023 season but missed the second All-Filipino Conference after falling short with a 7-4 record in fifth place.
“When I met them during the shoot, magaan ang dating nila. Mababait at maayos kausap. Siguro ang tumatak sakin yung pag banggit nila na gigil sila bumawi. Magandang start para sa samahan and sa team, of course,” the PLDT coach said.