Battle of faster reflexes.
Expect the semifinals to become a floor defense battle with the entry of Vietnam's Kinh Bac-Bach Ninh and Japan's Kurashiki Ablaze.
PVL All-Filipino Conference Best Libero Kath Arado is especially looking forward to one with Japan, after the PLDT High Speed Hitters outdueled the Vietnamese squad 25-23, 25-14, 25-23.
"Sobrang excited ako. Talagang known sila sa discipline sa galaw nila," she told reporters after the Monday match, recalling an exhibition game against Japan last year.
"'Dun kami mate-test as an individual and as a team kung hanggang saan kami."
Arado recorded 21 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions against the Vietnamese side, while her opponent Dang Thoan had 23 excellent digs.
"'Di ako nangamba sa mga kasama ko," Arado shared. "Hard serve pero sakto sa tao."
Their strategies and training against a strong blocking team like the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers also helped.
"Alam ko gagawa sila ng paraan para mabigay kay Ate Rhea [Dimaculangan] para 'di mahirapan."
She would have to do more against Kurashiki's Takahashi Kaoru, who tallied 12 excellent digs and 9 excellent receptions in the straight-sets win over Cignal HD Spikers.
Takahashi also made 31 of Kurashiki's 73 total excellent digs in the five-setter against Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh.
PLDT is running third in the rankings with six points from a 2-2 record. They will face the 2-0 Kurashiki on Thursday, July 27, at 4 p.m.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco, One Sports Digital)
(GM)