The PLDT High Speed Hitters continue their fine play, extending their win streak in the PVL to 11 games stretching from the PVL on Tour.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters are on the brink of being first to the Finals of the PVL Invitational after downing Kobe Shinwa University in straight sets, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Monday.
PLDT has yet to drop a set in the Invitational, at the top of its game since winning the PVL on Tour crown earlier this month.
Against a younger Kobe Shinwa team, PLDT dug deep in the second set to stay on course for the sweep victory, despite falling behind midway through the set as the Japanese spikers seized the 18-14 lead thanks to offense from Sakura Furuta.
But PLDT rookie Alleiah Malaluan and Fil-Canadian hitter Savi Davison started to cook for the High Speed Hitters, powering a pivotal 8-1 run punctuated by a Shiela Kiseo ace to give PLDT the 22-19 advantage.
Despite back-to-back points from Kobe Shinwa to trim PLDT’s lead to one, Malaluan and Davison once again connived to clinch the comeback and the dominant 2-0 lead, 25-22.
Buoyed by their tight second set victory, PLDT held the mental advantage over Kobe Shinwa, fighting back from a deficit anew late in the third set.
Down 19-22, PLDT ended the match on an 6-1 run as the High Speed Hitters extended their win run and improved to 4-0 in the PVL Invitational. Mika Reyes scored three of PLDT's last four points.
Playmaker Kim Fajardo nabbed Player of the Game honors as she distributed the ball well with 19 excellent sets in the three-frame match.
Kobe Shinwa University, meanwhile, are now level at 1-1.
PLDT will seal its place in the finale if ZUS Coffee loses its match against the Cignal HD Spikers in the next match here.