In a clash between powerhouse teams, each missing several of their established stars, PLDT outmaneuvered Creamline in a frenetic fifth set skirmish, carving out a 16-25, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19, 15-12 victory to cap off a marathon opening day of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference that stretched late into the night Tuesday.
Lena Samoilenko narrowly missed matching her career-best 35 points, but her 34-point performance was more than enough to steer the High Speed Hitters to a thrilling victory in the second match of the opening day that went the distance.
"It feels so good," said the towering Russian hitter, whose four-point splurge in the final stretch lifted the team to a hard-fought win and a share of the Pool A lead with Chery Tiggo and Nxled.
Fiola Ceballos’s off-the-block hit wrapped up the encounter, which remained close throughout. Creamline had taken the upper hand by winning the first two odd-numbered sets, only to falter in the frame that mattered most.
“We really worked hard for this. It’s all about composure and confidence,” said PLDT defense specialist Kath Arado, who shared the game’s top honors with Samoilenko, thanks to her 24-dig and nine-excellent reception game.
Creamline played without Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez, while PLDT was missing Fil-Am hitter Savi Davison and Kim Dy. However, with Samoilenko leading the charge and Ceballos and middle blocker Majoy Baron contributing 11 hits each, the High Speed Hitters managed to overcome the multi-titled Cool Smashers.
Kiesha Bedonia and Erika Santos finished with five points apiece, while Kim Fajardo and Mika Reyes added three markers each for PLDT.
Erica May Staunton debuted for Creamline with 20 points, while Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao scored 18 and 16 points, respectively, and Pangs Panaga and Bea de Leon combined for 15 points.
However, the High Speed Hitters proved steadier in the fifth set, seizing momentum with an early 6-2 run and fending off every Creamline comeback with grace, composure and firepower.
