Kiesha Bedonia stepped up in the absence of key players to lead the PLDT High Speed Hitters past the Farm Fresh Foxies in straight sets, delivering a clutch 14-point performance.
Kiesha Bedonia answered the call—and then some.
Tasked with a bigger role for the shorthanded PLDT High Speed Hitters in the PVL On Tour, Bedonia delivered a clutch performance to help her squad secure with a 25-18, 25-21, 28-26 win over Farm Fresh on Tuesday, July 1, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
[ALSO READ: Undermanned PLDT sweeps Farm Fresh for strong start to PVL on Tour]
With star scorer Savi Davison out until mid-July and Dell Palomata and Alleiah Malaluan with Alas Pilipinas, Bedonia led the charge with 14 points built on 10 attacks, two blocks, and two aces—including a key service run that helped PLDT erase a 19-23 deficit in the third frame.
“Nung una pa lang po, pagbalik namin nasabihan na ako ni coach nun eh na i-prepare ko lang ‘yung sarili ko mentally and physically,” Bedonia said during the post-game press conference. “Kasi maraming umalis sa amin, parang ayun, double din ‘yung training ko, doble rin ‘yung inano ko sa physical and mental ko.”
Farm Fresh, behind Alohi Robins-Hardy’s crafty playmaking, stayed in the hunt during a tense endgame but saw the match slip away after Lorene Toring’s attack error and Mika Reyes’ game-sealing block on Caitlyn Viray.
Despite the pressure, the 22-year-old spiker said it was the mental grind that proved to be the toughest adjustment.
“Sa’kin po, sobrang hirap lalo na mentally. Tuwing gabi lalo na these past few days, inaaral ko talaga ‘yung plays nila. Sobrang hirap kasi kinabukasan, i-prepare mo gagawin mo inside the court,” she added.
For Bedonia and the rest of PLDT’s second stringers, the PVL On Tour is more than just a preseason tune-up—it’s a rare chance to showcase what they can bring to the table.
“Para sa’min naman po, sobrang laking bagay kasi mas lalong ma-boost namin ‘yung confidence namin lalo na ‘yung mga sub lang po,” Bedonia said. “Binigyan kami ng chance para ipakita kung ano ‘yung meron kami at sa team.”
[ALSO READ: PVL on Tour guide: Schedule, results, where to watch]
Bedonia will look to continue her strong start to the preseason tilt when the High Speed Hitters head to Ilagan City on July 12-13, when they face the Petro Gazz Angels and Choco Mucho Flying Titans.