PLDT too strong for Strong Group

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT squeezed the best from Kiesha Bedonia last night as the High Speed Hitters roared to their fifth straight win, a 25-12, 25-21, 25-17 victory over winless Strong Group Athletics in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

The High Speed Hitters, now sharing the lead with Choco Mucho with 7-1 records, had the luxury of resting their big guns. This gave Bedonia the chance to shine, and she did with 16 points on 16 attacks.

Strong Group tried hard to steal a set against the highly-fancied PLDT squad but was not up to the task. The closest it got to winning a set was in the second. In the end, SGA dropped to 0-8.

The High Speed Hitters had 50 attacks while limiting their opponents to 28, had more blocks, 8-2, and less turnovers, 13-18. With the win, they gained the momentum heading to the tougher games against Chery Tiggo (5-2), Cignal (5-2) and Creamline (6-2).

Earlier, Nxled wore down Farm Fresh in the stretch and pulled off a 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-11 win.

Chiara Fermentilla, on the road to recovery after her post-college career was slowed down by an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury, illuminated with a 16-point effort, including key hits in the deciding fifth set when Nxled overhauled an 5-8 deficit and turned it to their third victory in eight outings.

More importantly, it breathed life to the semifinal ambition of the Chameleons, who would need to sweep their last three elimination round assignments including one against powerhouse Creamline Saturday for the franchise to stay in the hunt.

“Going up against Creamline, we know what they’re capable of,” said the Fermentilla, a 5-7, 26-year-old former Adamson standout.