High Speed Hitters crush Thunderbelles for second straight win after poor start

PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Savi Davison during a game vs ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the 2026 PVL ALL-Filipino Conference Siklab Series. —PVL PHOTO

Is the poor form that marked PLDT’s hobbling start to the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series finally a thing of the past?

Kianna Dy certainly hopes so.

“[H]opefully, we can sustain the momentum from our two wins, continue building our chemistry and keep working on the things we need to improve,” Dy said on Thursday.

That sounds like a laundry list of to-dos from a team that still has to make its mark in the pro league, not from one that has championship blood flowing in its veins.

But the High Speed Hitters were forced into that frame of mind after dropping their first two games of the season.

“We didn’t start the conference well,” Dy said.

“I guess the two losses were a wake-up call for us, especially in this conference, where every point matters and making it to the top four is important,” she added. “For us, every game is almost a do-or-die situation, so we have to give it our all.”

The last two games have been “do” and not “die” for PLDT. In Santiago, Isabela, PLDT pounced on hapless ZUS Coffee, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, at Santiago Sports Arena.

Dy was instrumental in the win, finishing with eight points in front of provincial fans who waited a long time to see the High Speed Hitters in action after their initial schedule fell through the last time out due to inclement weather.

“It’s always a pleasure to play in front of the fans [in the province], especially here in Santiago City. We weren’t able to go on tour before, so I’m really happy that we were still able to find a way to play in front of everyone,” Dy said.

Savi Davison led the High Speed Hitters with 13 points on 12 attacks and a block, while adding nine excellent receptions in the one-hour and 24-minute match.

Dy, PLDT’s star opposite spiker, was determined to build momentum for her squad after they finally entered the win column against Capital1 on Saturday.

PLDT missed coach Rald Ricafort for the second straight match as he continues to recover from illness. Assistant coach Arnold Laniog called the shots anew and steered the club to back-to-back wins tied with Farm Fresh and Akari at 2-2.

Jessa Ordiales, Dy’s backup opposite hitter, and Dell Palomata chipped in six points each. Setter Angge Alcantara tallied 13 excellent sets off the bench, while captain and libero Kath Arado anchored the defense with 13 digs and eight receptions.

The two-time champion squad, a consistent contender in PVL tournaments, hopes to continue its rise when it battles 11-time champion Creamline on Thursday, looking for a third straight win.

“We just have to remember who we are as a team. We do well in training, and I feel like we just need an extra push during games. We have to want it more and really work together as a team,” said Dy.

ZUS Coffee, meanwhile, remained winless in four matches, with Zam Nolasco leading the Thunderbelles with nine points. Alyssa Eroa posted 11 digs and 10 excellent receptions, but her defensive effort was not enough to prevent another defeat.

The Thunderbelles will try to break into the win column against sister team Farm Fresh on Thursday next week.