PLDT has finally arrived at the PVL summit. After years of chasing a breakthrough, the High Speed Hitters captured their first-ever Premier Volleyball League championship in a thrilling finish at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, August 17.

PLDT survived a determined comeback from Chery Tiggo before pulling away in the deciding frame to secure a 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8 win in the PVL On Tour finals. The victory not only delivered a historic crown but also capped an unbeaten 8-0 run for the High Speed Hitters, who leaned on resilience, depth, and the dominance of their middle blockers.

Reyes leads with Finals MVP performance

Mika Reyes stood at the heart of PLDT’s breakthrough, scoring 20 points and earning Finals MVP honors. Her timely blocks and steady presence anchored the squad as they recovered from back-to-back set losses that threatened to derail their campaign. She was backed by top scorer Savi Davison, who closed the tournament with 23 points, and Kim Dy, who sealed the title with the championship-clinching block.

Head coach Rald Ricafort was emotional in victory, describing the triumph as a product of belief and perseverance. “After everything we’ve been through, we finally got this championship,” he said. Reyes echoed the same sentiment, adding that trust and unity carried the team through difficult stretches of the match.

Chery Tiggo, however, refused to go down quietly. Ara Galang finished with 22 points, while Cess Robles tallied 12. Young hitters Renee Peñafiel and Jyne Soreño added crucial points in the middle sets as the Crossovers fought back from the brink of defeat to force a fifth set.

A perfect run for the High Speed Hitters

With momentum on the line, PLDT’s middle blockers took over the deciding set. Reyes and Aby Maraño combined for crucial rejections that built an early 8-3 lead, while Dy and Baron added key points to maintain control. Though Chery Tiggo saved three match points, the outcome was sealed when Dy closed the door on Robles at the net, sparking a championship celebration years in the making.

The league awarded PLDT PHP1 million for the title, with Chery Tiggo earning PHP750,000 for second place and Creamline taking home PHP500,000 for bronze. Cignal’s Erika Santos was named tournament MVP, highlighting her standout campaign despite her team finishing off the podium.

For PLDT, the night was about more than a trophy or prize money. It was the culmination of a long pursuit, transforming them from perennial contenders into champions who proved that persistence and unity can deliver history.