By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The PLDT High Speed Hitters finally broke through in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), clinching their first-ever championship in a thrilling 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8 victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the On Tour finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, August 17.

Negrense Kiesha Bedonia came through with timely hits in the fifth set to end up with a total of six markers, helping the High Speed Hitters to their first-ever PVL crown.

While finals MVP Mika Reyes and fellow middle blocker Mary Joy Baron imposed their will at the net with key blocks in the fifth frame, and Kim Kianna Dy sealed the title with a rejection on Princess Robles, it was Bedonia’s fearless scoring bursts that helped PLDT weather Chery Tiggo’s late push.

The victory completed an immaculate 8-0 sweep for PLDT and earned them a P1 million prize.

Runner-up Chery Tiggo settled for P750,000, while bronze medalist Creamline Cool Smashers pocketed P500,000.

“Kapit sa isa’t isa — that’s what kept us together,” said Reyes, who scored 20 points and anchored the team’s resolve.

“Even when we were making errors and losing patience, we just held on to each other,” she added.

Savannah “Savi” Davison powered PLDT with 23 points, while Baron and Dy chipped in 13 each.

Veteran setter Kim Fajardo tallied 25 excellent sets to keep the offense humming, and four-time Best Libero Kath Arado anchored the floor defense with 29 digs and 13 receptions.

Head coach Rald Ricafort lauded his awards for stepping up the franchise’s breakthrough run.

“After everything we’ve been through, we finally got this championship. The fans believed, and we believed in each other,” Ricafort said.

For Chery Tiggo, Victonara Galang shone with 22 points. Robles added 12, while Imee Hernandez had eight markers.

Rookies Renee Peñafiel and Jyne Soreño combined for 11./ASC, WDJ