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  • Streaking Creamline, surging Akari collide in pivotal PVL showdown for Top 4 race

    Streaking Creamline, surging Akari collide in pivotal PVL showdown for Top 4 race

    Momentum meets urgency when the Creamline Cool Smashers and the Akari Chargers square off in a crucial battle in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the FilOil Playtime Centre.

     

    The 4 p.m. matchup carries significant implications in the race for the coveted Top 4 positions, with both teams entering the contest on contrasting yet equally compelling runs as the elimination round nears its critical stretch.

     

    Creamline heads into the clash as one of the tournament’s hottest teams. The 10-time champions have strung together five straight victories since absorbing a straight-sets defeat to the PLDT High Speed Hitters last Feb. 5, regaining the rhythm that has long defined the league powerhouse.

     

    Still, the Cool Smashers were recently reminded that nothing comes easy in the conference. Their most recent outing turned into a test of resolve as they survived a gritty five-set encounter against the Nxled Chameleons last weekend, pushing their record to 5-1 and keeping them firmly in the upper tier of the standings behind PLDT (6-1) and the Cignal HD Spikers (5-2).

     

    Waiting for them this time, however, is an Akari side that has rediscovered its form at just the right moment.

     

    After stumbling through a three-game skid earlier in the conference, the Chargers have steadied themselves with three consecutive victories, the latest a four-set win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers. The surge has allowed Akari to climb back into contention despite holding a 3-3 record that currently places them seventh in the standings.

     

    That position, however, remains far from secure — or hopeless.

     

    A victory over Creamline could dramatically reshape the standings and propel the Chargers into the fourth spot, keeping their qualifying round aspirations very much alive as they prepare for their remaining elimination matches against the Galeries Tower Highrisers and the Farm Fresh Foxies.

     

    Akari coach Tina Salak stressed that the team’s resurgence has come from a collective effort and a renewed commitment to their standards.

     

    “Again, total team effort. Not because nag-start kami ng bad, all throughout na ‘yun. Nag-set kami ng standards na hindi kami dapat aabot na papahirapan ‘yung sarili namin at the end. Dapat, pare-pareho kami ng goal. Kung ma-achieve namin yun, pahirapan kami pataas,” Salak said.

     

    On the opposite bench, Creamline mentor Sherwin Meneses remains cautious despite his team’s impressive winning run, acknowledging there are still areas the Cool Smashers must refine as the competition tightens.

     

     

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    The nightcap at 6:30 p.m. will feature another matchup with teams eager to reverse their fortunes.

     

    The Nxled Chameleons aim to halt a troubling four-game losing streak when they face the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, who are also looking to end a similar slump.

     

    Nxled came close to snapping its skid in its last outing, pushing Creamline to a demanding five-set duel before falling short in the decisive moments where experience ultimately tipped the balance.

     

    Coach Ettore Guidetti is expected to lean on the core that powered the Chameleons to three straight wins at the start of the conference, led by Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips and Myla Pablo, with support from EJ Laure and the rest of the rotation.

     

     

    Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee will rely on a determined mix of veterans and rising talents, including Jovelyn Gonzaga, Thea Gagate and playmaker Cloanne Mondonedo, as the Thunderbelles attempt to climb out of the bottom of the standings with their 1-6 record.

     

    With no team facing elimination yet, every match in the closing stretch of the preliminaries carries added weight.

     

    The tournament’s unique format will send teams ranked fifth to tenth into a Play-In phase, where they will battle in knockout matches for the final two semifinal spots. Meanwhile, the Top 4 squads will duel for the first two Final Four berths, with the losers getting another chance against the Play-In survivors.

     

    With positioning becoming increasingly crucial, Thursday’s clashes could play a defining role in shaping the path to the semifinals.

     

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  • PLDT stays grounded despite rise to top of PVL All-Filipino standings

    PLDT stays grounded despite rise to top of PVL All-Filipino standings

    Sitting alone at the top of the standings could easily tempt a team to start looking ahead.

     

    But for Rald Ricafort, staying grounded remains the priority as the PLDT High Speed Hitters continue their impressive run in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

     

    PLDT currently holds a 6-1 record with only two matches left in the preliminary round, putting the High Speed Hitters in a strong position to secure a place in the league’s four-team qualifying round. A single victory in their remaining games would be enough to clinch that opportunity, where an outright semifinals berth will be on the line.

     

    Despite the favorable scenario, Ricafort has made it clear he wants his squad to stay away from unnecessary attention and expectations.

     

    “Wini-wish namin na umabot kami ng top 4, pero para isipin pa namin, parang dagdag pressure pa, dagdag hype na naman na hindi naman kailangan,” said Ricafort.

     

    “Kung ano ‘yung next na kalaban namin, dapat du’n lang mag-focus.”

     

    It’s a mindset that mirrors Ricafort’s approach during PLDT’s championship surge last season, when the team quietly built momentum before eventually claiming titles in the PVL on Tour and the Invitational Conference.

     

    For the coach, consistency and focus remain far more important than standings at this stage of the tournament.

     

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    The current format of the conference also demands that teams remain sharp. Even after meeting in the preliminary round, squads could face each other again later in the competition, meaning every game can serve as preparation for a potential rematch.

     

    “At the same time, hindi porket nakalaban na namin, kakalimutan na namin ‘yung mga natutunan dahil may chance na makalaban namin sila ulit kaya every game ay very important pa rin,” he added.

     

    PLDT still faces two crucial tests to close the elimination round, beginning with a clash against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans before taking on the Nxled Chameleons.

     

    Both matches carry weight as the High Speed Hitters aim to secure their spot in the next phase of the tournament while keeping their rhythm intact heading into the more demanding rounds.

     

    Ricafort, however, prefers that his players keep their focus on the immediate challenge rather than the bigger picture.

     

    “‘Yung feeling, hindi nga ‘yung malapit na matapos ‘yung elims kasi ang bibigat pa ng remaining games namin,” said Ricafort.

     

    “Sabi nga namin sa players, mahirap nga tumingin nang sobrang layo at one game at a time lang talaga. Happy kami na nairaos namin ‘to ngayon kasi sabak agad ulit kami sa Sabado.”

     

    For PLDT, the message is clear: the standings may look good, but the real work is far from over.

     

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  • Rivalry lives on: Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos say Nxled clash felt like old Creamline–Petro Gazz battles

    Rivalry lives on: Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos say Nxled clash felt like old Creamline–Petro Gazz battles

     The uniforms may have changed, but for the Creamline Cool Smashers, the feeling of facing familiar rivals remains exactly the same.

     

    That sentiment echoed loudly after Creamline survived the Nxled Chameleons in a gripping five-set battle in the Premier Volleyball League — a match that many inside the court felt resembled the old Creamline–Petro Gazz Angels wars.

     

    Now wearing Nxled colors, former Angels standouts Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, MJ Phillips and Jonah Sabete brought the same intensity that once fueled some of the league’s most memorable showdowns.

     

    For Jema Galanza, the matchup stirred a mix of emotions — excitement, nerves, and the thrill of facing opponents who always push Creamline to its limits.

     

    “Ako, ang daming feelings,” Galanza admitted. “Excited na may kaba, na nacha-challenge kasi maganda silang kalaban. Sobrang ganda nilang kalaban — yung kailangan mong mag-isip, hindi ka lang basta papalo, hindi lang basta ipapasok. Alam mo ‘yon, kailangan mong mag-isip.”

     

    Creamline grabbed a 2-1 lead, but Nxled responded with a dominant fourth set to send the match into a winner-take-all fifth frame.

     

    When the pressure mounted, the Cool Smashers leaned on their experience to steady themselves and eventually pull away for the 25-16, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-10 victory.

     

    “Nacha-challenge din yung composure namin. And ngayon, yun talaga yung nagpanalo sa’min,” Galanza said.

     

    The veteran outside hitter delivered a strong all-around effort with 19 points, along with 10 excellent receptions and six excellent digs, taking home the Player of the Game in the clash. 

     

     

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    For Tots Carlos, the match also carried extra meaning.

     

    Returning from a knee injury that sidelined her for much of last season, the three-time league MVP welcomed the chance to test Creamline’s composure in a high-pressure scenario — particularly against a group of players who have been part of many heated battles with the Cool Smashers.

     

    “Siguro like what I said kanina, more of excitement kasi nga ako personally, meron akong sariling goal and sariling reason going to the game,” The PVL Player of the Week Carlos shared.

     

    “Ako, natuwa ako na na-experience namin ‘yung ganong scenario na kasi nga sila coach, laging sinasabi na pag sumobra naman kami sa gigil, hindi makakatulong sa amin. Composure lang talaga, and ‘yun nga, trabaho lang.”

     

    The result ultimately reinforced what both Galanza and Carlos already knew.

     

    Even if the old Petro Gazz core now wears Nxled jerseys, the rivalry that once defined their matchups is still very much alive — only this time, it has simply taken on a new name.

     

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  • PLDT eyes solo PVL lead, Choco Mucho targets third straight win as prelim action resumes

    PLDT eyes solo PVL lead, Choco Mucho targets third straight win as prelim action resumes

    Momentum will be on the line when the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference resumes Tuesday at the FilOil Playtime Centre, with PLDT and Choco Mucho both looking to build on their recent surge.

     

    The High Speed Hitters and the Flying Titans enter the day with renewed confidence after strong performances in their previous matches, but each will have to navigate opponents desperate to reverse their fortunes before the preliminary round winds down.

     

    PLDT, currently holding a 5-1 record, has a chance to seize the solo lead when it squares off with the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the 4 p.m. opener.

     

    A victory would push the High Speed Hitters past sister team Cignal at the top of the standings as the race toward the closing stretch of the single-round preliminaries tightens.

     

    The High Speed Hitters bounced back strongly after seeing their three-game winning streak halted by the Super Spikers. They responded with a dominant straight-sets win over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles before grinding out a five-set victory against the Farm Fresh Foxies.

     

    That stretch highlighted the depth that has made PLDT one of the most formidable squads in the conference.

     

    Savi Davison and Kim Dy remain the focal points of the attack, while middle blockers Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron continue to provide a strong presence at the net. The High Speed Hitters also benefit from a deep supporting cast that includes Jessey de Leon, Alleiah Malaluan, Jovie Prado, and Kiesha Bedonia.

     

    Still, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort stressed that rankings mean little in a league where any team can rise on a given day.

     

    “Well, ang mindset naman this conference regardless kung sino kalaban, kung ano ‘man yung ranking nila, wala na magiging basis eh kung ano yung magiging laro,” said Ricafort.

     

    “Kita nyo naman yung kanina, kita nyo rin yung ibang games, kahit sino talaga so ang nagiging challenge ko nalang talaga sa players regardless ng results mabilis mag-move on and magprepare ulit sa susunod na laro,” he added.

     

    Galeries Tower, which holds a 2-4 record, will be eager to halt a two-game skid after absorbing losses to Choco Mucho and Creamline. The Highrisers previously pulled off a surprise victory against Nxled and remain capable of challenging stronger teams.

     

    Coach Clarence Esteban is expected to rely on key contributors such as Jean Asis, Aiza Pontillas, Erika Deloria, Roselle Baliton, Erika Raagas, Gayle Pascual, Lycha Ebon, and setter Julia Coronel to keep the match competitive.

     

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    In the evening showdown at 6:30 p.m., Choco Mucho hopes to keep its own surge going when it faces Farm Fresh.

     

    The Flying Titans appear to have rediscovered their rhythm after dealing with injuries in past conferences. Their recent form has been fueled by the scoring partnership of Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure, whose consistent production has lifted the team to fourth place in the standings.

     

    Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin emphasized that the team must continue putting in the work to maintain its momentum.

     

    “Siyempre tatrabahuhin ulit namin. Ibibigay namin sa mga players namin kung ano ‘yung dapat naming gawin,” said Alinsunurin.

     

    Farm Fresh, however, has proven to be far from an easy opponent.

     

    Despite back-to-back losses — both coming in five-set battles — the Foxies have shown the ability to push contenders to the limit. Trisha Tubu remains one of the league’s most dangerous scorers and will again lead the offense alongside Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Mylene Paat, Riri Meneses, Rizza Cruz, and Jolina Dela Cruz. Veteran Ara Galang could also see increased minutes as the team searches for a breakthrough.

     

    With the top four teams advancing directly to the Qualifying Round, every result carries significant weight as the fight for positioning intensifies.

     

    For PLDT and Choco Mucho, the goal is clear — keep the momentum alive. But with their opponents equally motivated to change their trajectory, Tuesday’s twin bill promises to be anything but straightforward.

     

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  • Tots Carlos named PVL Player of the Week after Creamline’s fifth-straight win

    Tots Carlos named PVL Player of the Week after Creamline’s fifth-straight win

    Creamline’s resurgence at the top of the standings has been powered in part by the return of a familiar force.

     

    Tots Carlos, now fully recovered from a knee injury that sidelined her for months, has begun to resemble the dominant scorer who once ruled the league — a resurgence that earned her the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week honors presented by Pilipinas Live for March 3 to 7.

     

    The three-time Most Valuable Player delivered back-to-back standout performances to help the Cool Smashers maintain their momentum in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

     

    Carlos first set the tone with a 19-point outing to go along with 13 digs in Creamline’s four-set win over the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-14, 17-25, 25-18, 25-23, last Tuesday at the FilOil Centre.

     

    She followed it up with another all-around effort in a grueling five-set battle against Nxled, finishing with 16 points and 13 digs as the Cool Smashers escaped with a 25-16, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-10 victory.

     

    For Carlos, the recent stretch is more than just about numbers — it’s a sign that she has finally regained her rhythm after a long recovery process.

     

    “I would say na mas gumaan na ‘yung feeling kasi ‘yun nga, grateful ako kay Coach na binigyan nila ako ng time na makarecover. Alam naman ni Coach na pag okay na ako, babalik ako. Masaya lang ako na may ganong klaseng support,” said Carlos.

     

     

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    The veteran opposite hitter also admitted that the intense five-set duel against Nxled reminded her how much she missed playing in high-pressure situations.

     

    “It was exciting also, kasi it’s been a while since I experienced yung ganong experience din, so natutuwa ako na naexperience ko siya ulit, magkakasama kami na talagang nilaban namin lahat,” she said.

     

    Even with the emotional swings of tight matches, Carlos stressed that maintaining composure remains a key principle for the Cool Smashers as the conference progresses.

     

    “Ako personally, meron akong sariling goal and sariling reason going to the game. Natuwa ako na na-experience namin ‘yung ganong scenario na kasi nga sila coach laging sinasabi na pag sumobra naman kami sa gigil, hindi makakatulong sa amin, composure lang talaga and ‘yun nga, trabaho lang,” she added.

     

    Carlos edged out a strong field of candidates for the weekly citation, including Creamline teammate Jema Galanza, PLDT star Savi Davison, Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina, Cignal’s Vanie Gandler, and Akari’s Ivy Lacsina.

     

    With Carlos regaining top form, the Cool Smashers will look to keep their momentum going when they face the Akari Chargers on Thursday, March 12, as Creamline continues its push for another PVL title.

     

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  • Savi Davison’s 32-point explosion lifts her to No. 2 in PVL Best Scorers race

    Savi Davison’s 32-point explosion lifts her to No. 2 in PVL Best Scorers race

    Savannah “Savi” Davison delivered one of the most dominant performances of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference — and it did more than just secure a victory for PLDT.

    Her 32-point explosion against Farm Fresh also propelled the High Speed Hitters’ star from fifth place to second in the league’s Best Scorers race.

     

    Davison powered PLDT to a gritty 25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-10 victory over the Foxies on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan, a win that pushed the High Speed Hitters to solo first place in the standings.

     

    The Filipino-Canadian outside hitter produced 28 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while also making her presence felt on defense with 13 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs in the two-hour and 26-minute marathon.

     

    The scoring burst significantly boosted Davison’s season total to 127 points, moving her up three spots in the Best Scorers leaderboard.

     

    Only Capital1’s Mhicaela Belen remains ahead with 155 points, while Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu sits just behind Davison in third with 126. Cignal’s Vanie Gandler follows with 117 markers, and Choco Mucho’s Cherry Ann Rondina rounds out the top five with 115. 

     

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    Davison’s surge reflects the steady form she has displayed throughout the conference as PLDT continues its strong campaign. Her scoring efficiency and all-around contribution have been crucial in the High Speed Hitters’ climb to the top of the standings. 

     

    The performance marked Davison’s most explosive outing since PLDT’s conference-opening win over Creamline, where she finished with 26 points. 

     

    In fact, the High Speed Hitters’ ace had not cracked the 20-point mark in three of her previous four games prior to the Farm Fresh clash.

     

    Against Farm Fresh, the PVL Invitational MVP repeatedly delivered in crucial moments, particularly in the deciding fifth set where PLDT pulled away late to escape the upset bid.

     

    With PLDT continuing its push in the conference and Davison gaining momentum in the scoring race, the battle for the PVL’s top offensive honors is shaping up to be just as intense as the fight for the championship. 

     

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  • UAAP, PVL Weekend Preview: Crucial matches await as teams battle

    UAAP, PVL Weekend Preview: Crucial matches await as teams battle

    A packed weekend of volleyball awaits fans as both the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament and the PVL All-Filipino Conference roll into another crucial stretch of games.

     

    With the tournaments moving deeper into their respective schedules, every match now carries greater weight. Teams are not only chasing victories but also fighting to improve their positions in the standings as the race slowly takes shape.

     

    While collegiate rivals continue their intense battles in the UAAP, professional teams in the PVL are also experiencing a tightly contested preliminary round.

     

    PVL Matchups

    Saturday’s PVL slate promises an exciting doubleheader as teams continue to jockey for position in the All-Filipino Conference.

     

    The action begins at 4 p.m. with the Creamline Cool Smashers looking to extend their strong run when they take on the Nxled Chameleons.

     

    Creamline enters the matchup with confidence after a convincing four-set victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers. The Cool Smashers once again relied on their seasoned core, with Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, and Bernadette Pons leading the way.

     

    For Nxled, the game represents an opportunity to stop a worrying slide. After opening the tournament with promise, the Chameleons have now dropped three consecutive matches, including a recent defeat against Choco Mucho.

     

    The team hopes to rediscover its early form behind the efforts of Brooke Van Sickle, who delivered 20 points in their last outing. Mar Phillips added 13 points while Jonah Sabete-Escamillan chipped in nine.

     

    In the second match, the Akari Chargers will face the Capital1 Solar Spikers in a duel between two teams coming off morale-boosting victories.

     

    Akari pulled off a dramatic five-set comeback against Cignal, showing resilience after falling behind early in the match.

     

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    The Chargers will again lean on Ivy Lacsina, who produced 20 points in that win, while Fifi Soyud and Ced Domingo contributed 14 markers each.

     

    Capital1, meanwhile, is also looking to build momentum following a tough five-set victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies.

     

    Playmaker Jas Nabor directed the offense with 24 excellent sets, while conference scoring leader Bella Belen continued to showcase her all-around performance.

     

    UAAP Weekend Clash

    Meanwhile, the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament continues its heated competition with several intriguing matchups scheduled at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Saturday’s action opens with the University of the East Red Warriors taking on the De La Salle Lady Spikers at 1 p.m.

     

    Still searching for their first win of the season, UE hopes to finally break through against one of the league’s strongest teams. The Red Warriors will again rely on Van Bangayan, who scored 12 points in their last match, along with Khy Cepada, who added 10.

     

    Standing in their way is a confident La Salle squad that has remained undefeated since the start of the season. The Lady Spikers are coming off a victory over Ateneo and continue to lean on their balanced attack led by Angel Canino, who delivered 21 points in that win. Lilay Del Castillo and Amie Provido added 18 and 17 points, respectively.

     

    The second match will feature Adamson University battling the UST Golden Tigresses as both teams look to strengthen their positions in the standings.

     

    The weekend action continues on Sunday with more crucial encounters.

     

    The NU Lady Bulldogs will try to climb back to the top spot in the standings when they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles. NU is coming off a bounce-back victory over UE, while Ateneo continues to search for its first win after a difficult start to the season.

     

    Later in the day, the UP Fighting Maroons aim to sustain their momentum after a statement victory over defending champion NU. They will face the FEU Lady Tamaraws, who also enter the match with confidence following their recent win against Ateneo.

     

    With every match carrying growing importance, the weekend’s volleyball action promises high intensity and pivotal moments for teams hoping to strengthen their standing in both the UAAP and PVL competitions.

     

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  • Vanie Gandler keeps Cignal focused as Super Spikers chase elusive PVL title

    Vanie Gandler keeps Cignal focused as Super Spikers chase elusive PVL title

    Momentum has been building for Cignal in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, but the Super Spikers are making sure it doesn’t turn into complacency.

     

    Fresh off a convincing straight-sets win over ZUS Coffee, Cignal strengthened its standing in the tournament with a 5-2 record, good for solo third place behind the early leaders PLDT and Creamline. The victory further highlighted the team’s growing confidence as the race for playoff positioning tightens.

     

    Still, the Super Spikers understand that a strong record in the preliminary round guarantees nothing in a conference where the format ensures every team remains in the hunt.

     

    “We know that no one is safe, even though we started the conference strongly. We know that we’re not safe because everyone has wins, everyone has losses. And now is not the time for us to relax,” said Cignal ace Vanie Gandler after their 25-18, 25-23, 25-22 win over ZUS Coffee.

     

    Under the tournament’s format, the top four teams after the preliminary phase advance to the qualifying round. From there, two teams will secure outright spots in the semifinals, while the losing sides are given another chance by facing the Play-In winners.

     

    The Play-In stage gives teams ranked fifth to tenth a lifeline, splitting them into two groups of three where the group winners will challenge the qualifying round losers for the final semifinal slots. 

     

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    With so many twists built into the path toward the championship, every win remains crucial — a reality not lost on the Super Spikers as they continue their steady climb.

     

    For Cignal, the stakes are even higher given the franchise’s long pursuit of a championship breakthrough. Despite being one of the league’s consistent contenders, the team has yet to capture the top prize, settling for two runner-up finishes and five third-place results in previous conferences.

     

    That unfinished mission continues to drive the squad, especially Gandler, who has emerged as the team’s offensive leader this conference with a 16.7-point average, and with 117 total points which makes her the 4th best scorer this conference. 

     

    “My goal for myself is to be able to help Cignal win the championship. That’s it,” she declared.

    With five wins already in their pocket and the team finding its rhythm, the Super Spikers are determined to keep building momentum as the competition intensifies.

     

    Cignal will have time to regroup before returning to the court on March 14 against Capital1, before wrapping up its preliminary round campaign in a highly anticipated showdown against Creamline in March. 

     

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  • Dell Palomata eyes comeback with PLDT after Indonesia Proliga stint

    Dell Palomata eyes comeback with PLDT after Indonesia Proliga stint

    PLDT may soon receive a timely boost in the middle as Dell Palomata prepares to rejoin the High Speed Hitters following her pioneering stint overseas.

     

    The 6-foot middle blocker recently wrapped up her campaign with the Medan Falcons in the 2026 Indonesia Proliga, where she made history as the Filipina import to compete in the league. 

     

    Although the Falcons struggled and finished their season with a 0-12 record, Palomata considers the experience a valuable chapter in her career.

     

    The Alas Pilipinas standout was already spotted at the FilOil Centre in San Juan, watching from the sidelines as PLDT battled its way to a thrilling five-set victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies. Her presence alone signaled that a return to the High Speed Hitters lineup could be coming soon.

     

    While the results in Indonesia didn’t fall their way, Palomata said the overseas stint taught her lessons she intends to bring back to the PVL.

     

    “Siguro yung patience pa rin. Kasi parang same-same lang yung laro sa Indonesia at dito sa Philippines. Kailangan talaga ng pasensya sa laban, kaya siguro yun yung pinakamalaking natutunan ko,” said Palomata.

     

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    Despite only recently arriving back in Manila, the 30-year-old middle blocker wasted little time reconnecting with the team. She has already resumed training with PLDT, though she acknowledged that a brief recovery period will help her fully regain rhythm.

     

    “Pumunta ako rito, ready to play naman ako, pero kailangan ko pa ng konting pahinga. Balik uli ako sa training and kailangan ko mag-training pa,” the 30-year-old middle blocker said.

     

    Her eagerness to return didn’t go unnoticed by head coach Rald Ricafort. In fact, the veteran blocker was so eager to help that she initially thought she might be inserted immediately into PLDT’s most recent match.

     

    “Actually, akala niya palalaruin ko siya today. Hindi ko siya nasabihan na ‘di pa siya sasalang pero ganun ‘yung dedication nung bata. Kararating lang niya nung March 1. Naka-isang practice palan samin tapos ready na agad siya sumabak,” Ricafort said.

     

    PLDT has managed to maintain strong momentum even without Palomata in the lineup, currently sitting at the top of the PVL All-Filipino Conference standings with a 5-1 record. Her return, however, could further strengthen the High Speed Hitters’ net defense and blocking presence as the tournament intensifies.

     

    If all goes according to plan, Palomata could make her on-court return when PLDT faces the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Tuesday, March 10 at the FilOil Centre in San Juan — potentially marking the start of her next chapter after a groundbreaking stint abroad.

     

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  • PLDT survives Farm Fresh in five-set thriller; Cignal sweeps ZUS Coffee in PVL action

    PLDT survives Farm Fresh in five-set thriller; Cignal sweeps ZUS Coffee in PVL action

    PLDT proved it could win ugly when it mattered most.

     

    The High Speed Hitters endured a tense five-set battle before finally shaking off a stubborn Farm Fresh side, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-10, to seize the solo lead in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.

     

    With the win, PLDT improved to 5-1 and moved past sister team Cignal at the top of the standings.

    But the victory hardly came easy.

     

    After taking the opening set with relative comfort, the High Speed Hitters were repeatedly pushed to the brink by the Foxies, who refused to fade despite facing a deeper and more experienced lineup.

     

    Farm Fresh answered every surge. It stole the second set, stretched the third into an extended duel, and forced a decider by outlasting PLDT again in the fourth.

     

    The High Speed Hitters finally regained control when it mattered most.

     

    Savi Davison sparked the decisive run in the fifth frame, scoring back-to-back points before Jessey De Leon and Angge Alcantara followed with key contributions in a 4-0 burst that pushed PLDT to match point at 14-9.

     

    After an Alcantara service error briefly delayed the finish, Davison slammed a crosscourt kill to seal the victory and cap a dominant individual outing.

     

    Davison finished with 32 points built on 28 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, while Kianna Dy added 19 markers as PLDT leaned on its firepower.

     

    Despite committing a game-high 30 errors, the High Speed Hitters made up for it with superior offense, dominating Farm Fresh in attacks, 74-59, and blocks, 14-7.

     

    On the other side, Ria Meneses led the Foxies with 17 points, while Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina chipped in 16 and 14, respectively.

     

    Farm Fresh slipped to 2-4 after dropping its second straight five-set heartbreaker and will try to regroup when it faces Choco Mucho on March 10. PLDT, meanwhile, takes on Galeries Tower on the same day at the same San Juan venue.

     

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    Earlier, Cignal bounced back emphatically from its previous loss, sweeping ZUS Coffee, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22, to stay within striking distance in the standings.

     

    The Super Spikers improved to 5-2, reclaiming their rhythm while handing the Thunderbelles their fourth straight defeat.

     

    Cignal seized control in the second set behind an unlikely source.

     

    With the frame tied at 23, veteran setter Gel Cayuna stepped up not with her playmaking but with timely scoring. She first rejected Cess Robles at the net for set point before finishing the set herself with a through-the-block hit in an out-of-system play to give Cignal a commanding 2-0 lead.

     

    ZUS Coffee tried to mount a comeback in the third, building a 15-11 cushion, but the Super Spikers showed their poise down the stretch.

     

    Vanie Gandler led the response, delivering four of Cignal’s final six points as the Super Spikers closed out the match in one hour and 26 minutes.

     

    Rose Doria-Aquino added 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks, while Erika Santos and Jackie Acuña chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

     

    The Thunderbelles, who dropped to 1-6 in the tournament, were led by Thea Gagate and Chinnie Arroyo with 11 points each.

     

    Cignal returns to action on March 14 against Capital1, while ZUS Coffee looks to halt its slide when it faces Nxled next Thursday at the same venue.

     

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