WITH veteran setter Kim Fajardo and Russian import Elena Samoilenko showing the way, PLDT hacked out a thrilling 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9 victory over Chery Tiggo yesterday in their knockout quarterfinals duel at The Arena in San Juan.
Samoilenko racked up a team-high 37 points along with 15 excellent receptions to lead the scoring load for the High Speed Hitters while Fajardo dished out 23 excellent sets and two markers.
Outside hitters Fiola Ceballos chipped in 12 markers, 14 excellent receptions and eight digs for PLDT.
Middle blocker Majoy Baron and wing spiker Keisha Bedonia also combined for 17 points for the High Speed Hitters.
The hard-earned win allowed PLDT to return to the semifinals after a similar stint in the All-Filipino tilt last year.
“Basta going to this game, ang pinaka ni-remind ko lang sa kanila na naalala ko na deserve namin iyong situation ngayon na nakaabot kami ng game na ito. So, dinaanan namin ng maayos, nagtrabaho kami ng maayos,” High Speed Hitters coach Rald Ricafort said.
“Iyon nga, iyong napag-usapan namin nung sa last game na Choco (Mucho) na no bearing inilaban pa rin namin kasi gusto namin mapasok iyong culture na lahat ng games pinagtatrabahuhan.
“So, iyon na iyong pinakahugot na namin na iyon na iyong naging preparation namin going into this game. Pero iyon nga, masaya na iyong composure na hinanap sa amin noong last game namin with Chery, lumitaw this game. So down na kami… pero inilaban. So, credits talaga sa players at the same time doon sa staff namin na nagtrabaho talaga nang maigi,” he added.
American reinforcement Kath Bell had 40 markers, 15 excellent receptions and nine digs for the Crossovers while Ara Galang had 12 points and 12 digs.
