Kiesha Bedonia already knew the gravity of the role she’ll play in PLDT’s campaign in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour.

Unfazed by her sudden thrust to the spotlight with the High Speed Hitters dealing with the absence of some key players, Bedonia came up with a tournament debut to remember.

The 22-year-old winger seized the opportunity to repay the trust of head coach Rald Ricafort after dropping 14 points in PLDT’s quick work of Farm Fresh, 25-18, 25-21, 28-26, in Pool A action last Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Bedonia smashed 10 attacks with two kill blocks and two aces while tallying seven excellent receptions on the defensive end in a well-rounded outing.

However, her performance did not come as a surprise after putting in the work during the offseason.

“Right from the start since we returned to training, coach already told me to prepare myself mentally and physically,” Bedonia shared.

PLDT dealt with an exodus of players after the season-opening All-Filipino Conference and was forced to march into battle sans Alas Pilipinas members Dell Palomata and rookie Alleiah Malaluan while Filipino-Canadian Savi Davison has yet to return from a well-deserved vacation in Canada.

“We saw a lot of player departures and some unavailable, so I had to double up in training and also in my physical and mental aspects. I just tried to follow what my coaches told me to do especially in passing, defense, and offense,” she added.

“It’s really hard mentally. Every night especially in these past few days I tried to learn their plays.”

Her hard work behind the scenes paid off as she delivered the goods in the crucial stretch in the third set with great mental resolve in countering the Foxies’ desperate late uprising.

“It’s a huge boost for our confidence especially those coming off the bench,” Bedonia said.

“We were given the chance to showcase what we could bring to the table.”