PLDT’s 15 Blocks Crush Galeries Tower, Keeps Quarterfinal Hopes Alive

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by Misha Cruz

PLDT celebrates during their game against Galeries Tower.
PLDT celebrates during their game against Galeries Tower. Photo: PVL Images.

After dropping the second set, PLDT High Speed Hitters came back with a vengeance, smothering Galeries Tower 25-19, 19-25, 25-16, 25-21 in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur on Saturday.

The win was all about net dominance. PLDT racked up an astounding 15 blocks, outmatching the Highrisers by 10, and turned their front-line defense into an unbreakable wall. 

Even when Galeries Tower tried to fight back, PLDT’s towering presence at the net kept every rally under control.

Savi Davison powered through with 21 points, while Anastasiia Bavykina led the scoring with 22. But it was the defensive heroes, Kim Dy (12 points, 4 blocks), Majoy Baron (10 points), and Kath Arado with her floor-saving digs, who anchored the High Speed Hitters’ clutch moments. Dy’s pivotal third-set performance sparked an 8-3 run that shifted momentum entirely, with Bavykina’s relentless attacks complementing the surge.

“We didn’t start as strong as I wanted, and they caught up in the second set,” said Davison. “But we bounced back and finished the game the right way.”

PLDT import Anastasiia Bavykina spikes the ball against two Galeries Tower defenders.
PLDT import Anastasiia Bavykina spikes the ball against two Galeries Tower defenders. Photo: PVL Images.

PLDT turned a 5-6 deficit in the fourth set into a 16-8 lead, riding Dy and Baron’s kill blocks to maintain control. Baron then closed the match with back-to-back quick hits, leaving the Highrisers scrambling.

Despite Galeries Tower matching PLDT’s 54 attack points, the High Speed Hitters’ reinforced net presence proved insurmountable. Jelena Cvijovic and France Ronquillo led the Highrisers with 15 points each, while Jean Asis and Ysa Jimenez added 13 and 12. The loss drops Galeries Tower to 0-6, tied with Nxled at the bottom of the standings.

With this third straight win, PLDT improves to 5-1, cementing a quarterfinal berth while keeping eyes on a higher seeding. Coach Rald Ricafort and the squad are already gearing up for tough matches ahead against Chery Tiggo (Nov. 15) and Petro Gazz (Nov. 20).

“This second round is high stakes,” Davison added. “We have to study our opponents, come out strong, and execute in the clutch. Today, I’m just glad we delivered when it mattered.”