GAMES TODAY
(PhilSports Arena)
4 p.m.- Kobe Shinwa University vs. Creamline
6:30 p.m.- Zus Coffee vs. Chery Tiggo
UNBEATEN PLDT turned back gutsy guest team Kobe Shinwa University 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 last night to bag a finals slot in the PVL Invitationals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
It was a fitting victory for the High Speed Hitters on National Heroes’ Day as they hiked their record to 4-0 and became the first team to book a Big Dance slot scheduled on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Setter Kim Fajardo orchestrated PLDT’s plays with 19 excellent sets and four points, while outside spiker Savi Davison shone with 17 points on 13 attacks, three blocks, a service ace, and laced with six digs.
Rookie Alleiah Malaluan, a member of the Alas Pilipinas national team, kept her impressive play for the High Speed Hitters with 12 markers and eight excellent receptions, while middle blocker Mika Reyes added 11 points.
PLDT, the pre-season On Tour champion, has a chance to sweep the single-round preliminaries against ZUS Coffee on Thursday at the same venue.
“Ang pinaka-ina-anticipate is iyon nga, i-respect iyong laro ng Japan na i-anticipate na namin iyong mga long rallies, sobrang gandang floor defense. So, ni-remind sa kanila iyong patience na na-test na kami noong mga nakaraan so mayroon na kaming naging basis,” PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said.
“Pero iyon nga, kakaiba iyong ganitong experience. Happy kami na at least, nakakuha kami ng win against Japan.”
Nagisa Komatsuda was the lone bright spot for Kobe Shinwa University, which slipped to 1-1, with 21 points.
The Japanese guest squad seeks to bounce back today when it battles the Creamline Cool Smashers at 4 p.m.
