The PLDT High Speed Hitters came alive with a 10-2 closer in the third set against the Galeries Tower for their second win in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
PLDT was not to be denied a straight-set victory after rallying past the Galeries Tower in the third set.
Down 15-21, the High Speed Hitters silenced the Highrisers as they roared back to snatch the lead at 22-21 after a cross-court kill by Savi Davison.
Galeries Tower checked its scoreless spell to knot the count at 22-all on France Ronquillo’s attack. But PLDT was dialled in at the finish, with Majoy Baron and Davison delivering the finishing blows to complete the 27-25, 25-22, 25-23 sweep for its second win in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
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Majoy Baron goes for the kill in PLDT's match against Galeries Tower in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 19. | Photo (c) PVL
After the match, High Speed Hitters coach Rald Ricafort attributed the team’s furious comeback to their preparations during training.
But while this will help his charges once they face a similar situation against top teams, Ricafort recognized his charges' complacency in the match which allowed them to fall in a deep hole in the third and should have been avoided in the first place.
“Sa preparation namin, sinasanay sila nang ganoon, eh. Na hindi sila 'yung lamang, humahabol palagi, para 'yung mga ganitong situation kung sakaling mangyari, tulad nga ngayon, medyo sanay na,” Ricafort said during the post-game press conference.
"Doon kami medyo nagpu-focus all this time. Kaya lang, 'yun nga, ang ikinalayo naman ng kalaban kanina, complacency namin. So hindi 'yun puwedeng mangyari. Pero para rin ma-ready kami sa mga top teams din na alam naming matibay [kami], na hindi kaagad kami titiklop," he added.
With teams improving, Ricarfort is hoping that PLDT can lessen the need to pull off comeback victories.
“Hindi na pushover ang mga tao, eh. Lahat magaling, lahat malakas na,” Ricafort emphasized.
“Katulad ng pag-remind ko kanina, hindi porke't naka 2-0 na, medyo bababa 'yung level, kailangang same lang hanggang dulo,” he added.
Davison powered the High Speed Hitters with 28 points on 26 attacks and two blocks. Erika Santos added 14 markers.
Ronquillo topscored for Galeries Tower with 19 points, while Jho Maraguinot, who made her debut with her new squad, added 10 in the loss.
PLDT will go for its third straight win against Capital1 on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.