Make that two PVL titles in a row for the PLDT High Speed Hitters as they captured the PVL Invitational championship on Sunday, turning back guest team Kobe Shinwa University, 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18, in the conference finale held before a large crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But it certainly didn’t come easy for the High Speed Hitters. The guest team, blanked by PLDT in their first encounter, came out with guns blazing, stunning the PVL On Tour champs, 25-21, behind the brilliance of setter Sakura Furuta and the scoring prowess of Nagisa Komatsuda and Kokoro Yasuma. Kobe Shinwa then took PLDT to the limit in the second set, which was highlighted by a spectacular 60-second rally where neither team yielded—to the delight of the crowd.
PLDT ultimately took that set to level the match at 1-1 and wrest momentum away from the young Japanese squad. By the third set, PLDT began imposing their will and their vaunted net defense to frustrate Kobe Shinwa and move ahead in the match. It was much the same for the High Speed Hitters in the fourth set, where they clinched the title with—you guessed it!—a block courtesy of Kim Kianna Dy.
Dy’s title-clinching block was one of 11 she recorded in the match while also scoring 17 points. Savi Davison led the way for PLDT with 20, with Alleiah Malaluan and Mika Reyes contributing 15 and 12, respectively. Komatsuda poured in a game-high 22 points for the Japanese, while Yasuma added 14.
Creamline Overpowers Chery Tiggo, Snags Bronze
The Creamline Cool Smashers wouldn’t be denied a podium finish—not after they walloped the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-15, 25-13, 25-22, in the battle for bronze earlier on Sunday.
Creamline’s talent and composure were evident in this one-sided match, which was only fairly competitive in the third set, after the Cool Smashers had already seized firm control with lopsided wins in the first and second sets. Creamline’s 48-31 advantage in kills underscored their dominance, with Michele Gumabao recording 14 of them. She also added three kill blocks for a game-high 17 markers.
Jema Galanza ably supported Gumabao with 12 points, while Alyssa Valdez, Pangs Panaga, and Lorie Lyn Bernardo chipped in 9, 7, and 6 points, respectively.
Ara Galang was the lone bright spot for the outclassed Crossovers with her 10 points, followed by Cess Robles’ 9.
