MANILA, Philippines – At the PVL On Tour, the PLDT High Speed Hitters completed an unbeaten pool-stage sweep by defeating the Galeries Tower Highrisers in three sets. PLDT closed pool play at 5–0 and claimed the top spot heading into the quarterfinals with a straight-sets win.

Starting with the whistle, PLDT took control. Their unblemished serve-receive foundation made offensive transitions easy. After early resistance from the Highrisers, PLDT’s defensive discipline and aggressive net play turned the game around. Their blockers stopped Galeries players and made High Speed Hitters’ scoring simple on defensive stands.

Kianna Dy, fresh off her 30th birthday match, anchored the center with well-placed blocks and timely attacks. She again proved vital to PLDT’s interior-defense structure. Dy, newbies like Jovelyn Prado, and veterans like Mika Reyes alternated strong attacks to keep the offense going. Their diversity kept Galeries guessing and opened doors.

Setter Gel Cayuna effectively coordinated PLDT’s pace, finding open lanes for hitters and transitioning. Her court vision and discipline helped PLDT exploit mismatches. Young players like Kiesha Bedonia filled vital service rotations and secured key digs to stabilize the defense in long rallies.

PLDT’s defense was strong. Libero Buding Duremdes made many impressive stops, and the reception unit held up despite the Highrisers’ top serving pressure. This consistency helped PLDT turn challenging first contacts into well-executed plays, often with Dy and Prado kills.

Galeries Tower struggled offensively. Their blocking and service reception failures increased, providing PLDT too many easy set closures. They rallied with mid-set rotations and energy spurts, but unbalanced rotations and bad coverage crushed them.

PLDT led the first set by double digits and didn’t allow Galeries to catch up. The second set was similar until late, as PLDT used rapid assaults and controlled pressure, leading coach Rald Ricafort to switch bench players who maintained the standard. All control was maintained by PLDT.

The team remained intense as replacements were made to conserve energy for the playoffs. The third set started swiftly. On offense, PLDT’s wings and opposites moved quickly and accurately. Dy could impede opposing net passes, causing resets that helped her teammates. PLDT’s dominating lead in the last minutes led the High Risers into desperation and blunders, sealing the sweep.

Celebrations on the sidelines showed relief and focus. Every rotation reflected PLDT coaching staff ideals of consistency, effort, and execution. Players and assistant coaches praised the team’s rise: pool play, mission fulfilled, quarterfinal ambitions just begun.

The shutout sweep signaled PLDT’s postseason readiness. Their ability to maintain pressure for long sets, balance offensive diversity with defensive coherence, and stay disciplined against inferior opponents indicated a well-prepared group. The bench and starters’ depth boosts confidence for knockout matchups.

PLDT faces a top-eight crossover bracket with win-or-go-home stakes. Their Pool Scouts and experts have noted PLDT’s stability and adaptability, but dominance secures a good posture. Dy’s frontcourt units are unbeatable against small or weak-blocking teams. The back-court and perimeter defenders provide wings and mobile coverage that opponents struggle with.

Ricafort should lock up rotations before the quarterfinals to balance freshness and tactical continuity. Serve disruption and early first-contact control—often exploited against Galeries—will likely be prioritized. Training drill execution in high-stakes situations must be reinforced.

PLDT’s pool play chemistry showed togetherness as well as talent. Veteran players guided, while younger players fit in well. Their cross-rotational and defensive communication made errors rare and reactions quick.

Dy’s momentum at this juncture in the tournament represents personal and team rebirth. Her return from injury coincided with PLDT’s ascent, and her performance shows how she now anchors and inspires. Her performance in Cebu and her current outing typified her visible and symbolic leadership.

The remainder of the team must strive for consistency in the coming days. They must master service aggression, block readings, transitions, and late-set composure. Chery Tiggo, Creamline, and ZUS—set to face off in the knockout rounds—have highlighted structure issues. PLDT must capitalize on such while preparing for opposition.

PLDT’s dominant win over Galeries Tower concluded their pool-perfect run. It showed playoff preparation and strengthened their title chances. Clean execution, rotation trust, and competitive spirit led to a decisive, non-obligatory win.

PLDT enters the quarterfinals 5–0 confident and calm. They view the sweep as an attitude, not just statistics.