PLDT makes quick work of Petro Gazz to continue unbeaten PVL on Tour start
Majoy Baron and Jovelyn Prado fronted the offense with 12 points apiece with the latter also grabbing 13 receptions while Kim Kianna Dy chipped in 10 markers as they improved to 2-0.
The Angels, who are still without Alas Pilipinas members Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, turned to Myla Pablo as the veteran spiker posted 16 points. It was, however, not enough as the reigning All-Filipino Conference champions slipped to 1-2.
"Syempre 'pag ang kalaban mo ay mga top teams like Petro, happy na nakukuha namin 'yung panalo. Happy kami na nakapag-perform lahat," PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort said.
PLDT broke from a slim 12-11 lead and turned it into a huge 20-14 lead in Set 3 after Baron and Dy both took advantage of back-to-back overpasses from Petro Gazz.
Baron then denied Jonah Sabete on the opposite side for a 23-15 cushion before Pablo tried to breathe some life to the Angels with another kill from the left side, 23-16.
But Baron was just unstoppable at the net, delivering the finishing kick with two consecutive quick plays that sealed it for PLDT.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- GMA Network
PLDT savors maiden PVL crown as past heartaches finally turn to gold
The PLDT High Speed Hitters finally struck gold, ending years of frustration with a breakthrough PVL crown. The High Speed Hitters broke the curse by fending off Chery Tiggo in five grueling sets to rule the inaugural PVL On Tour on Sunday with a 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8 win at the Mall of Asia Arena. It was a long and tough journey for PLDT, which endured heartaches and near-misses in the past, before claiming a coveted PVL crown. "Hindi ako religious na tao pero inintindi ko lang na no'ng pinag-pray namin na tumibay 'yung team tsaka magkaro'n ng tapang [at] maging resilient, ang binigay sa amin na challenge ay 'yung na-experience namin from last year, 'yung mga sayang, 'yung mga heartbreaks," PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort. "Tinake ko na lang personally na nire-ready kami for ngayon." [I'm not a religious person but when we prayed for the team to be stronger and to have courage and be resilient, the challenge given to us was our experience from last year, the almosts, the heartbreaks... I took it personally that it was making us ready for this.] PLDT had long been a consistent force in the league, but despite fielding a star-studded squad led by Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Kim Fajardo, Kath Arado, and Svi Davison, the elusive title remained out of reach. They came close just last year, when the High Speed Hitters reached the semifinals of the 2024 Reinforced Conference against Akari and even held match point at 14-13. But a costly net touch challenge called by them mid-play fired back as it eventually allowed the Chargers to eke out the win. That loss, however, was used as motivation by PLDT. "Actually nawala na talaga sa isip namin 'yun kasi nga hindi kami pwedeng mag-dwell sa loss na 'yun, sa heartache na 'yun. Motivation siya sa amin na kailangan pa naming i-improve," team captain and libero Kath Arado added. "Kasi hindi naman namin pwedeng isisi lang sa isang side, may kasalanan din kami sa part na 'yun e. Kailangan lang talaga namin i-improve 'yung sarili." [Actually, it was not in our heads because we can't dwell on that loss, on that heartache. It's motivation for us that we need to improve... We can't just blame it on one side, we have our fault in that part also. We just really need to improve ourselves.] Last All-Filipino Conference, PLDT fell twice to Choco Mucho in their best-of-three quarterfinals to bow out of contention despite finishing the preliminary round at fourth spot. But they came back stronger this time with the usual suspects leading the way against an equally-hungry Chery Tiggo, who was eager to quench its four-year title drought. In all, PLDT endured three fourth-place finishes and five fifth-place showings before finally breaking the dry spell on Sunday. "I think 'yung lagi lang na sinasabi ng coaches at players na maging present talaga the whole game kasi hindi naman 'to basta-basta na ibibigay ng opponent," Reyes said. "And kahit na two sets ahead kami, hindi namin inisip na makukuha namin 'to agad so sobrang thankful kami na kinapitan talaga namin 'yung bawat isa." [I think, what the coaches and players always say that we should be present the whole game because the opponents are not going to just give this to us... And even when we were two sets ahead, we weren't thinking that we would be able to get this right away, so we're so thankful that we really stuck together.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Cignal star Erika Santos crowned PVL On Tour MVP
PVL On Tour. August 7, 2025. Erika Santos of the Cignal HD Spikers against the Akari Chargers. (Photo: PVL) In her debut tournament with Cignal, Erika Santos shone and earned a surprise Most Valuable Player plum for leading the HD Spikers in the inaugural 2025 PVL On Tour. The hard-hitting opposite hitter, who transferred to Cignal after ending a three-year stint with PLDT last April, bagged the top honor after a breakout campaign that powered Cignal to a fourth-place finish in the preseason tilt. Meanwhile, veterans Alyssa Valdez of Creamline and Myla Pablo of Petro Gazz were hailed the Best Outside Spikers while rising star Trisha Tubu of Farm Fresh was recognized as the Best Opposite Hitter. Kyle Negrito of the Cool Smashers was honored as the Best Setter for helping the club capture the bronze medal while her teammate Jeanette Panaga and Majoy Baron of the recently-crowned champion PLDT were named the Best Middle Blockers. PLDT skipper Kath Arado was given the Best Libero plum for anchoring the floor defense of the High Speed Hitters. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
PLDT repels Chery Tiggo in finals thriller to complete PVL On Tour sweep
PLDT claimed its maiden championship in a flawless fashion. The High Speed Hitters battled past Chery Tiggo in their finale showdown, 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8, to seize the 2025 PVL On Tour championship on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The victory saw PLDT snag its first-ever title and complete a tournament sweep, going unbeaten in eight games, including an impressive 5-0 win-loss card in the preliminary round. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
