High Speed Hitters outlast Angels for share of PVL lead
MANILA, Philippines — The PLDT High Speed Hitters won their third straight game in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, squeaking past the Petro Gazz Angels, 21-25, 31-29, 25-21, 21-25, 15-13, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Thursday.
In a nip-and-tuck affair that lasted two hours and 37 minutes, the High Speed Hitters improved their record to 3-1 for a share of the PVL lead.
PLDT created a logjam at the top of the PVL standings with the Creamline Cool Smashers, Chery Tiggo and the F2 Cargo Movers.
It also gave PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort a win over his former team.
"Yung streak hindi naman pinupush kasi nangh-habol lang tulad ng sinabi last time. Basta nag-iimprove every game. So sabi ko kanina, parang nangyari sa F2, kung hindi namin makuha agad, dadaanin sa tiyaga," said Ricafort.
Until the deciding fifth set, PLDT and Petro Gazz were neck-and-neck as a point from Remy Palma tied the game at 13-all. It was the seventh deadlock of the canto.
But Dell Palomata answered right back with a dump to bring PLDT to match point before Michelle Morente scored her 21st point of the victory with a cross-court attack to give PLDT the win in cardiac fashion.
Morente and Mean Menendrez both finished with 21 markers for the High Speed Hitters as Jovy Prado and Palomata added 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Kath Arado displayed tremendous defense for PLDT as well with a whopping 40 excellent digs and 20 excellent receptions.
Petro Gazz, meanwhile, leaned on MJ Phillips, who played her first full game back from injury with a game-high 24 markers.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Grethcel Soltones added 19 and 17 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
The High Speed Hitters hopes to extend their win streak to four games when they face the Akari Chargers on Tuesday, February 28, while Petro Gazz will seek a bounce back win over F2 Logistics on Thursday, March 2.
The Angels fell to a 2-2 record after entering the game off back-to-back victories.
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