PLDT High Speed Hitters during a 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference game against Nxled Chameleons. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–PLDT opened its PVL All-Filipino Conference campaign with a convincing 25-15, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22, victory against Nxled on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.
Rookie playmaker Angelica Alcantara stepped up to fill the huge void left by the High Speed Hitters’ veteran setters Kim Fajardo, who was not in uniform, and newly-wed Rhea Dimaculangan who decided to focus first on her family.
“Good start pa rin sa amin considering na kakabalik lang ni [Savannah Davison] tapos bagong salang si Angge so happy naman sa performance. Sayang lang na hindi namin na-diretso pero yun pa yung kailangan pa namin i-work on siguro,” coach Rald Ricafort said.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
Alcantara tossed 13 excellent sets that allowed five High Speed Hitters to finish in twin digits. The returning Savannah Davison showed very little signs of rust after pouring in 19 points, most of which from attacks.
“I’m just excited to contribute the way I’m used to. I’m super grateful with how this whole process turned out with me being able to play so early,” Davison said.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa tiwala ni coach sa akin and in-embrace ko lang din yung role ko and focus lang talaga,” the young setter out of Adamson said.
Majoy Baron delivered 14 points, half of which were blocks, Erika Santos finished with 15 points, from 11 attacks, three blocks and an ace.
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Fiola Ceballos added 13 points, four of which were aces, other than 13 excellent digs and the same number of excellent receptions as Dell Palomata returns from her national team duties with 10 points. Libero Kath Arado caught 15 excellent digs.
After being dominated in the first two sets, the Chameleons found their rhythm in the third set behind rookie Lucille Almonte, Chiara Permentilla and Krich Macaslang to force a fourth set.
But with much more aggressiveness, the High Speed Hitters answered with a 16-5 run courtesy of Santos, Davison, Palomata and Fiola Ceballos to seal the result.
Chiara Permentilla shone for the Chameleons, who are now under the mentorship of Italian coach Ettore Guidetti, with 21 attack points. She also blunted 15 of PLDT’s services and caught 10 digs.
Lycha Ebon contributed 15 points from 12 attacks, two blocks and an ace as Nxled fell short in its opener.
PLDT guns for a second consecutive win against Galeries Tower next Tuesday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City after the Chameleons try to bounce back versus ZUS Coffee in the first game.