Dy thrilled to face ex-teammates in PVL final

PLDT winger Kim Kianna Dy has mixed feelings on her first-ever championship trip as a professional player.

She’s stoked to be part of the High Speed Hitters’ breakthrough title match appearance but at the same time, Dy will be facing former long-time teammates and friends on the other side of the net when PLDT battles Chery Tiggo for the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour title.

The sudden-death championship on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena will serve as a reunion for members of the disbanded F2 Logistics.

Dy with Majoy Baron and setter Kim Fajardo will be going up against the Crossovers’ veteran leaders Ara Galang and Aby Maraño — all looking to become champions once again after winning multiple titles for the dissolved Cargo Movers in the defunct Philippine Superliga.

“It will be a mini-reunion for us but on Sunday, we’ll set our friendships aside,” Dy quipped after helping PLDT outlast powerhouse Creamline, 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10, in the knockout semifinal Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Dy, who was sidelined by a right knee injury for almost two years before her return to action last January, scored 14 points in PLDT’s seventh straight win in the pre-season tourney in as many outings.

Only one more victory separates the High Speed Hitters from finally capturing the elusive crown. However, Dy would have to break the hearts of Galang and Marano in the process.

“It’s weird seeing them on the other side of the court but you know, everything happens for a reason. I guess we were really meant to go our separate ways,” the 5-foot-10 opposite spiker said.

“But now, it’s gonna be nice to play against them.”

Dy won five Philippine Superliga titles and a Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League championship playing alongside Galang and Maraño.

They joined the PVL in 2022 and won bronze in the 2023 All-Filipino Conference before the franchise decided to disband on 13 December 2023. As free agents, F2 Logistics players went their separate ways.

Galang displayed her vintage form and Maraño’s leadership held the Crossovers together to beat Cignal, 25-17, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, in the Final Four for the club’s return to the finals after four years.