PLDT pounds also-ran Strong Group for tie at top spot
PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Kiesha Bedonia during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–PLDT got a share of the PVL All-Filipino Conference lead after dismantling Strong Group, 25-12, 25-21, 25-17, on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.
Facing an already eliminated foe in the Athletics, High Speed Hitters coach Rald Ricafort utilized his second stringers as Kiesha Bedonia rose to the occasion and delivered 16 attack points.
Shiela Kiseo and Jules Samonte also proved their worth after scattering 11 points each to lift PLDT to a 7-1 standing, tied with Choco Mucho at the top.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
“Happy kami na na-activate lahat saka nag-perform ng maayos,” Ricafort said as PLDT extended its winning streak to five.
More than helping her squad prevail over a league lightweight, Bedonia had a much bigger motivation.
“Yung family ko po, sila talaga yung [nagp-push] sakin para maglaro ng mabuti,” rookie Bedonia said after registering her career-best. “Lagi nila ako nire-remind [galingan] and sa coaches din [who are] giving me a chance so why not pakita ko na kung sino ako, kung ano yung baon ko.”
With the victory, PLDT effectively also eliminated Nxled, which survived a five-set clash against Farm Fresh in the earlier game, in the process.
The High Speed Hitters had the liberty of resting their core, especially for the tough string of games ahead against Chery Tiggo next Tuesday, then Cignal and Creamline.
READ: PVL playoff implications abound for PLDT in clash vs Strong Group
After allowing the Athletics to keep in step with it in the second set, PLDT had no troubles leading in the decider with Kiseo, Bedonia and Rachel Austero taking turns for the High Speed Hitters to pull away, 18-14.
“Sobrang nagpapasalamat din ako kasi pinagkatiwalaan ako ng mga setter … so para sakin kahit anong mangyari papatayin ko talaga yung [bola],” Bedonia said.
“Na-feel namin yung light pressure kasi dikit [sa second set] pero [nag-usap] kami ni ate Rhea [Dimaculangan] na wag ma-pressure tas enjoy lang talaga yung laro namin ngayon,” she added.
FINAL: PLDT (7-1) gets share of #PVL2024 All-Filipino Conference lead after outclassing Strong Group (0-8), 25-12, 25-21, 25-17. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/z0tRvgTlGU
— Thirdy Dukha (@ThirdyINQ) April 9, 2024
Kiseo nailed a kill down the line to push PLDT’s lead, 20-15, before Bedonia and Samonte delivered back to back attacks down the line to end the match.
Ricafort was not surprised with how the former Far Eastern University cog performed when given the responsibility of helping her pro team.
“Ginamit ko na siya nung [game against] Choco Mucho na may malaking responsibility so hindi na ito just to fast track but alam na niya yung role niya na immediate bunot so ok naman,” Ricafort said. “Kahit papano nagi-improve na rin.”
Strong Group still has not found its footing in the league after having quiet outings from its players in the one-hour and 15 minute encounter where PLDT outclassed the league neophyte in every aspect of the game save from reception where they each had 20.
