Late rally powers High Speed Hitters

Games Saturday:

(Ynares Center-Montalban)

4 p.m. — Chery Tiggo vs Capital1

6:30 p.m. — ZUS Coffee vs Akari

PLDT rallied from four points down in the third set to turn back Farm Fresh in sweeping fashion, 25-18, 25-21, 28-26, for a rousing start in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) on Tour Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The High Speed Hitters unleashed a blistering 5-0 blast to turn the tables around in the third frame before hanging tough in the closing stretch to deny the Foxies a chance to extend their debut match in Pool A.

Kieshia Bedonia and Mika Reyes showed the way on offense for the depleted PLDT, which was missing two key veterans and a promising rookie.

Bedonia scored 14 points coming off 10 attacks, two aces and two kill blocks while adding seven excellent receptions for PLDT, which loaned middle blocker Dell Palomata and new recruit Alleiah Malaluan to Alas Pilipinas while Filipino-Canadian scorer Savi Davison has yet to return from a much-deserved break.

“We take this conference as a big challenge, knowing again, that we’re still incomplete. We want to give opportunity to the likes of Kiesha, we want to take advantage of what they worked hard during our preparation,” High Speed Hitters coach Rald Ricafort said.

Reyes scored 10 markers, including the match-clinching kill block, while Jovie Prado and Majoy Baron added nine and seven markers, respectively, for PLDT.

High Speed Hitters playmaker Angelica Alcantara dished out 20 excellent sets while Kat Arado had a superb outing manning the floor with 20 digs and 13 excellent receptions.

“Happy that everybody performed well. We prepared them to be ready for these kinds of situations. So, happy we’re able to execute,” Ricafort said.

PLDT played catch-up in the third set after dominating the first two frames. The High Speed Hitter overhauled a 19-23 deficit with five straight points to reach match point after a Jolina dela Cruz attack error.

Farm Fresh saved two points before taking a 26-25 lead after back-to-back points by third overall pick Alohi Robins-Hardy.