Even with a quarterfinal spot already secured, PLDT played with relentless energy to dominate Galeries Tower, 25-20, 25-14, 25-17, and complete a clean sweep of Pool A in the PVL On Tour at the USJ-R Coliseum on Sunday, July 27.

Coming off a crucial win less than 24 hours earlier over fellow unbeaten Nxled, the High Speed Hitters showed no signs of easing up. Instead, they elevated their play further, overcoming a shaky start to deliver a clinical display of system-driven volleyball and emerge as the tournament’s lone undefeated team entering the next round.

With a deep bench, airtight defense, and smooth offensive flow, PLDT overwhelmed the still-winless Highrisers, who struggled to sustain their early intensity. Despite short-lived bursts of energy in each set, Galeries Tower couldn’t match PLDT’s tempo, succumbing to the pressure of consistent counterattacks and costly miscues.

Fajardo, Dy lead PLDT’s dominant charge

Kim Fajardo was at the heart of PLDT’s fluid offense, tallying 17 excellent sets to set the table for top scorers like Kim Dy, who led all scorers with 12 points. Mika Reyes and Jovielyn Prado chipped in 10 markers apiece, while Majoy Baron and Kiesha Bedonia contributed seven and six, respectively.

Though Galeries Tower managed to outblock PLDT, 5-4, the High Speed Hitters more than made up for it by capitalizing on their opponents’ 23 unforced errors. PLDT’s clean, disciplined performance—only conceding 12 points on errors—highlighted the poise of a team in championship form.

Rookie Jean Asis and France Ronquillo paced the Highrisers with 11 points each. Jewel Encarnacion and Ysa Jimenez added seven and six, but it wasn’t enough to push Galeries Tower over the hump as they ended the preliminaries without a win.

In the first set, PLDT trailed 15-17 before unleashing a decisive 10-3 run, with Reyes, Dy, and Prado combining for clutch plays. Libero Kath Arado even provided a rare highlight with a smart placement shot to spark the rally.

In Set 2, after another back-and-forth start, Galeries Tower’s offense collapsed under pressure. PLDT pounced with a 6-point burst behind Reyes’ timely attacks, while Dy’s kill set up set point, followed by Ronquillo’s error to hand PLDT a 2-0 lead.

Galeries Tower again surged early in Set 3, leading 8-5 at the break, but PLDT stormed back with a 5-0 run, highlighted by Dy’s kill that knotted the score. A costly error gave PLDT the lead, and the High Speed Hitters never looked back, sealing the win in just 84 minutes.