PVL: PLDT caps off All-Filipino Conference with bronze, overcomes Farm Fresh in five sets

Defending PVL Invitational Conference and PVL on Tour champions PLDT concluded their 2026 All-Filipino campaign on a high, defeating Farm Fresh 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5, in Game 2 of the battle for third on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The High Speed Hitters found their second wind in the final canto, going on two separate scoring runs in crunchtime to overwhelm the Foxies and claim their first-ever podium finish in an All-Filipino Conference.

Libero Kath Arado paraded her authority around the taraflex, chalking up 28 excellent digs and 21 excellent receptions to cop Player of the Game honors.

READ MORE | PVL: Bronze within PLDT’s reach after thrilling Game 1 win vs Farm Fresh

Having already gone the distance against the same determined team last Tuesday, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort is happy not only with the fight shown by his team on the court, but also for exhibiting mental fortitude down the stretch.

“Ni-remind ko lang talaga sa kanila, magiging mental game na talaga yung game two kasi tulad nung sa kahapon, wala na kaming time to prepare kasi mas importante na mahabol namin yung fatigue na mawala para sa game today,” said Ricafort.

“So kahit papaano, thankful kami kasi milestone pa rin na nakuha namin yung third [place] this time. Napakahirap nitong ginagawa natin pero at least kahit paano nakuha namin yung bronze,” he added.

(I reminded them earlier, this Game Two will come down to a mental game. Just like yesterday, we didn't have much time to prepare because it was more important to recover from fatigue for the game today... Even then, we're thankful because this is still a milestone that we achieved, getting third place this time. What we accomplished was so difficult but at least we were able to get the bronze.)

In the scoring department, star hitter Kianna Dy finished with a team-high 21 points on 14 attacks, six blocks, and one service ace, while usual offensive headliner Savi Davison swiftly followed suit with 20 markers. 

Playing integral roles in the fifth and crucial set, both Dy and Davison spoke their praises on a gritty Farm Fresh squad, acknowledging that their team claiming a podium finish in this conference was well earned.

“I think we really worked hard for this match and this is our fifth game against Farm Fresh… Mahirap rin silang kalaban, one-is-to-one talaga,” acclaimed Dy.

(I think we really worked hard for this match and this is our fifth game against Farm Fresh... They are difficult to face, it's really one is to one.)

“Sa fifth set, it all went down to who wanted it more. So lahat kami nag-uusap na ‘uanahan na natin sila because we don’t want them to get the momentum.’ Very happy, and like what coach said, hindi man ito yung goal namin this conference but at least we ended on a good note,” the former DLSU Lady Spiker added.

(In the fifth set, it all went down to who wanted it more. We all were saying, let's get it front of them because we don't want them to get the momentum. Very happy and like what coach said, this might not be the goal we had for this conference but at least we ended on a good note.)

“We really had to turn it up a notch mentally and physically. And we came out like guns firing…I honestly think that was maybe our peak playing against them. It was always in the fifth set, even the last game. We just came together so tightly, we trusted each other, and it’s always fun in the fifth,” stated Davison.

Off the bench, Kiesha Bedonia also came up with important numbers for the High Speed Hitters, chalking up 15 points.

Meanwhile for Farm Fresh, Trisha Tubu led her team anew with a game-high 23 points on 21 attacks, while setter Alohi Robins-Hardy dished out 26 excellent sets.

—JMB, GMA News