PLDT turned the USJ-Recoletos Coliseum into a fortress Saturday night, overpowering Nxled in a straight-set stunner, 25-11, 25-17, 25-21, to punch the first ticket to the quarterfinals of Pool A in the PVL On Tour.

The High Speed Hitters delivered a masterclass in blocking, tempo control, and balanced offense to dismantle a Nxled side that came in with momentum from three consecutive wins. But PLDT’s discipline, depth, and defensive precision proved too much for the Chameleons, who simply couldn’t find answers to their opponents’ towering net wall and multi-pronged attack.

A Statement Sweep

The match was virtually decided early as PLDT opened with a 6-1 run, powered by Kim Dy and Mika Reyes, who delivered three consecutive kill blocks. Majoy Baron later joined the frontcourt fray, helping extend the lead to a jaw-dropping 17-3 with picture-perfect blocks and middle hits.

PLDT’s net presence crushed Nxled’s rhythm. By the end of the night, the High Speed Hitters had out-blocked Nxled 13-5, out-attacked them 40-29, and delivered five service aces. Nxled failed to register a single ace.

The third set saw some late drama as Nxled trimmed the gap to 21-24 following a flurry of PLDT passing errors and a quick hit from Jaycel Delos Reyes. But Kiesha Bedonia, who led all scorers with 15 points, fired the finishing blow. Nxled challenged the final point, hoping for a line call reversal, but video review confirmed the ball landed cleanly in Zone 5—sealing PLDT’s fourth straight win in 1 hour and 32 minutes.

Baron leads balanced PLDT attack

Baron, who finished with 13 points (11 attacks, 2 blocks), credited the win to PLDT’s chemistry:

“We just played our game and executed what we’ve been training for – and now we’re seeing the results,” she said in Filipino.

Bedonia paced the scorers, while Dy and Reyes added nine points apiece, and Jovie Prado chipped in with seven markers. Setter Kim Fajardo notched 18 excellent sets, anchoring the team’s fluid transitions.

On the other side, EJ Carino emerged as a bright spot for Nxled, scoring 11 points in just two sets, but top scorer Lyann De Guzman was limited to only nine points after back-to-back 20-point performances in earlier matches. Jovielyn Fernandez also struggled, managing just five points as PLDT’s blockers shut down her usual lanes.

Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti tried multiple rotations to counter PLDT’s height and discipline but found no sustainable answers.

The win also showcased PLDT’s depth. Savi Davison returned from injury and scored two points in limited action, including a thunderous first hit that drew roars from the crowd—potentially giving Coach Rald Ricafort another weapon heading into the knockout rounds.

The team’s ability to perform despite adversity—highlighted by their harrowing experience earlier in the week being stranded during flooding in Quezon City—speaks volumes of their mental toughness.

Now 4-0, PLDT sits atop Pool A and continues to strengthen its case as a title favorite, having previously swept Farm Fresh and Petro Gazz, and defeated Choco Mucho in four sets.

Meanwhile, Nxled drops to 3-1, now barely ahead of 2-1 Farm Fresh in the hunt for the second automatic quarterfinal spot.