Dy shines on birthday as High Speed Hitters hold off Flying Titans

PLDT opened its 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour campaign with a hard-earned 25-21, 20-25, 29-27, 25-18 victory over Choco Mucho on Saturday night at the CHAVIT Coliseum.

Expected to capitalize on its deeper lineup against a depleted Flying Titans squad, the High Speed Hitters instead found themselves in a tightly contested match that lasted two hours and 18 minutes before pulling away in the fourth set.

Kim Dy celebrated her 31st birthday with a match-high 17 points, including the winning attack, to earn Best Player of the Game honors.

Savi Davison added 13 points despite playing only three sets, while Mika Reyes contributed 12 markers. Majoy Baron finished with 10 points, Alleiah Malaluan scored nine, and Kiesha Bedonia chipped in seven.

The victory moved PLDT to 1-0, joining Creamline and Galeries Tower in the win column, while ZUS Coffee remained the early tournament leader at 2-0.

Choco Mucho slipped to 0-2 but put up a strong fight despite missing national team standouts Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure, along with veteran opposite hitter Kat Tolentino, who continues to recover from surgery for a ruptured appendix.

Caitlyn Viray paced the Flying Titans with 16 points, while Isa Molde added 14. Jewel Encarnacion finished with 10 points, Mean Mendez had eight, and Ayesha Juegos contributed six.

After splitting the opening two sets, PLDT appeared in control of the third after building a 16-8 advantage.

Choco Mucho responded with a determined rally, with Viray tying the set at 24-all before Molde gave the Flying Titans a 26-25 lead.

PLDT answered with a successful block-touch challenge on a Bedonia attack before Reyes delivered back-to-back quick hits to regain the advantage. Malaluan then sealed the extended third set with a down-the-line winner for a 29-27 victory.

The High Speed Hitters carried that momentum into the fourth set, breaking away behind Dy, Malaluan, and Bedonia to build a 19-13 lead before closing out the match.

Despite the defeat, Choco Mucho showed it could still challenge one of the league's deepest teams despite fielding a shorthanded lineup.