By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Battle-scarred setter Kim Fajardo came through with a vintage performance and helped power PLDT to a huge 25-20, 25-12, 23-25, 11-25, 15-13 win over erstwhile unbeaten Choco Mucho on Tuesday, March 19, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Fajardo produced with 22 excellent sets that went with eight hits built on four kills, two blocks and two aces as the High Speed Hitters leapfrogged to the top in the company of Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz, Creamline and sister team Cignal with identical 4-1 cards.
Fajardo later said it was the by-product of the hard work they collectively put up in the last week.
“Yung pagod naging motivation namin,” said Fajardo.
“Nung fifth set alam namin pagod na kami at Choco Mucho. Sino una titiklop, sino matibay, yun ang mananalo,” she added.
Savannah Davison led the way with 21 points while Erika Santos scattered 14 for the High Speed Hitters.
PLDT’s win negated another jaw-dropping effort from Sisi Rondina, who sizzled with 25 points on 20 kills, four blocks and one ace that went to naught.
Same thing happened for Kat Tolentino who logged 18 points highlighted by 15 attacks, but her efforts went futile.
Earlier, Cignal proved too much for Strong Group Athletics, scoring a convincing 25-7, 25-16, 25-16 victory to get back on the winning track.
Vanie Gandler fueled HD Spikers’ offense by pumping in 14 kills to finish with 16 points, while former MVP Ces Molina also stepped up by erupting for 14 points built on 13 attacks.
But it was Gel Gayuna who shone brightest for Cignal, orchestrating a variety of smart plays that had Strong Group scrambling for defense.
