PLDT High Speed Hitters.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–PLDT forged a PVL Reinforced Conference semifinal clash against top seed Akari after stopping Khat Bell and Chery Tiggo, 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9, on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Elena Samoilenko poured in 37 points, 32 from attacks, three from blocks and a pair of aces, for the High Speed Hitters, who returned to the semifinals for the first time since the All-Filipino Conference last year.
Samoilenko also blunted 15 services of the Crossovers while Fiola Ceballos added 12 points apart from eight excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
READ: PVL: PLDT ousts Choco Mucho, seals playoffs duel vs Chery Tiggo
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron and Lena Samoilenko after returning to the semifinals. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UtonLvLjAZ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 27, 2024
“Before the game, I reminded them that we deserve to be in this situation and reach this [quarterfinal] game,” Ricafort said. “We fought even in a no-bearing game against Choco Mucho because we want to instill in them the culture of working for every game.”
“My focus is not Khat Bell. My focus is my team and the game. Our game. We showed good volleyball and we won, it doesn’t matter if it’s Khat Bell or another import. That’s all,” Samoilenko said.
Majoy Baron showed her experience in crucial moments and helped with nine points, Kiesha Bedonia tallied eight points and another veteran Mika Reyes chipped in seven points, two off blocks.
PLDT braces for unbeaten Akari in the semis. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/biQU3gaO20
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 27, 2024
Kim Fajardo distributed the ball with 23 excellent sets while Kath Arado defended PLDT’s floor like no tomorrow with 24 excellent digs.
“I am happy [with the win] but I didn’t think that it was because of our addition because they have a system. We just came here and adjusted to their system so thankfully it’s been working out,” Fajardo, who took her act to PLDT with former F2 teammates Baron and injured Kim Dy earlier this year, said.
Even with a 40-point outing from Bell, Chery Tiggo was unable to extend its campaign. Ara Galang returned after missing two games and connected on 12 points.
READ: PVL: PLDT claims quarterfinal slot, eliminates ZUS Coffee
Bedonia did her usual thing for PLDT late in the second set, scoring four consecutive points to tie the game at 24-all. They deadlocked again at 25-all before Bedonia committed an attack error to give Chery Tiggo the frame.
Chery Tiggo continued its onslaught in the third frame to gain the advantage. The Crossovers surged to, 24-14, as Samoilenko inadvertently touched the net.
But PLDT wanted to win as Baron scored back-to-back following an attack error by Bell in the deciding frame, 7-4. Bell sent a service to the net that shifted all the momentum to the High Speed Hitters.
Reyes started a 6-0 run with a quick attack, Samoilenko punched in three consecutive kills, Baron stopped a kill from Bell before another block by the Russian on Mylene Paat.
“This time, the record doesn’t matter anymore. Going into that game [versus the Chargers], it will just come down to who will wake up on the right side of the bed,” Ricafort said as they square off against unbeaten Akari on Thursday.
“If we click, we click and at the same time the pressure isn’t on us because our record isn’t perfect .. we will try to challenge whatever is in front of us,” he added.