PLDT High Speed Hitters Locks in Pool A Supremacy With Dominant Sweep of Nxled Chameleons

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by Raymund Tamayo

The PLDT High Speed Hitters celebrate during their game versus the Nxled Chameleons.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters celebrate during their game versus the Nxled Chameleons. Photo: PVL Images.

PLDT ended the opening round with authority, delivering a no-nonsense sweep of Nxled, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20, to secure the top spot in Pool A of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

It was another composed, businesslike outing for the High Speed Hitters, who wrapped up the eliminations with a 4-1 record, edging out Farm Fresh for the No. 1 spot thanks to a better set ratio. The victory also marked their second straight win, cementing their place in Pool D alongside the Foxies.

Fil-Canadian Savannah Davison put on a show with her mother Barbara cheering in the stands, her first time watching her daughter live in two years. The Canadian open spiker poured in 19 points, built on 14 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while adding 10 digs and nine receptions in a near-flawless all-around performance.

Russian import Anastasiia Bavykina added 10 points and nine receptions, while Dell Palomata chipped in seven. Kim Fajardo directed the offense with 12 excellent sets, and Kath Arado anchored the defense with 10 digs.

PLDT import Anastasiia Bavykina (23).
PLDT import Anastasiia Bavykina (23). Photo: PVL Images.

Head coach Rald Ricafort was quick to praise his team’s maturity and patience.

“The focus was really on starting strong and maintaining composure,” Ricafort said. “We knew Nxled wouldn’t just give it to us, especially with their import firing on all cylinders. But we stayed patient, minimized our mistakes, and capitalized when it mattered most.”

That discipline paid off as PLDT turned Nxled’s 24 unforced errors into points and momentum, maintaining control in each frame of the one-hour, 31-minute encounter.

The High Speed Hitters’ poise was on full display, especially in the closing moments of every set where Davison and Bavykina took turns sealing the deal with precision and power.

Meanwhile, it was another frustrating night for the Nxled Chameleons, who remained winless at 0-5 despite a valiant effort from Spanish import Paola Martinez. Martinez erupted for 29 points (25 attacks, two blocks, two aces), but lacked consistent backup as her local teammates struggled to sustain their rhythm.

PLDT star Savi Davison spikes the ball against two Nxled defenders.
PLDT star Savi Davison spikes the ball against two Nxled defenders. Photo: PVL Images.

Chiara Permentilla managed seven points, while Krich Macaslang, Mayang Nuique, and Lyann De Guzman added three apiece.

With the loss, Nxled faces a do-or-die path in Pool C, while PLDT heads into the next phase brimming with confidence and looking every bit like a true title contender.