By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The PLDT High Speed Hitters moved to a share of the top spot in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference after a 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 victory over the Akari Power Chargers at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday night, April 2.
Mary Joy Baron secured her second consecutive Player of the Game honors after top-scoring for the High Speed Hitters with 13 points, while Savannah Davison added a double-double of 11 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Erika Santos also made her contribution with nine points while Kim Fajardo tallied 14 excellent sets and eight points as PLDT tied the Creamline Cool Smashers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on top with 6-1.
“Happy na nag-perform kami. Malakas ‘yung Akari eh. Sadyang ‘yung complacency pinaka-problema namin kung sakali, pero nag-perform naman,” High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort said.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat top-scored for Akari with nine points, while Grethcel Soltones contributed eight points, 11 receptions and six digs as the Chargers fell to 2-5, suffering their second consecutive defeat.
Meanwhile, the Flying Titans delivered a stern reality check to the Galeries Tower Highrisers with a dominant 25-13, 25-19, 25-17 victory, moving them back to joint first place in the standings.
Deanna Wong, who sustained a knee injury late last year, showed signs of returning to her old form, tallying seven excellent sets and contributing one point for the Flying Titans.
“Si Deanna, nakuha na rin unti-unti ‘yung rhythm niya sa paglalaro,” Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
“Sana lang magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung mga ganong sitwasyon na nagagamit namin ‘yung iba naming mga players,” he added.
Cherry Ann Rondina led the way with 16 points on 13 attacks, two service aces and a block, while Cherry Rose Nunag delivered 12 markers to earn Player of the Game honors.
Audrey Paran finished with nine points and eight digs, while France Ronquillo delivered eight points for the Highrisers, which saw their two-game winning run snapped to drop to a 2-5 record./ASC, WDJ