By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
PLDT bucked a third-set stumble and edged at feisty Nxled side, 25-15, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22, to jumpstart its title campaign in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Five players shone in double figures for the High Speed Hitters with Fil-Canadian Savi Davison pumping in 19 points including 18 kills, and Erika Santos chipping in 15 points built on 11 attacks and three blocks.
It was a morale-boosting first-match triumph for PLDT as it joined opening-day winners Akari and Petro Gazz at the helm, while spoiling the debut coaching stint of Ettore Guidetti with Nxled.
The victory, however, didn’t come without hiccups as the Chameleons dictated the pace in the third set and rallied back to cut an early 5-12 deficit to 20-22 in the fourth frame.
But the High Speed Hitters held on to their composure, with Davison sealing the win with a down-the-line spike.
while Davison and Santos took the offensive chores for PLDT, Majoy Baron stepped up in the defensive department and swatted away seven of the team’s 16 blocks to finish with 14 points.
Dell Palomata also contributed with 10 points.
Permentilla led Nxled with 21 points, including a sharp attack that saved them a matchpoint, 22-24, but her efforts went to naught.
Lycha Ebon also scored 15 points in a losing cause.
