PLDT’s Majoy Baron leaps high for a kill against Akari’s Eli Soyud. ..PVL photo
Baron powers PLDT to victory
MAJOY Baron had a solid offensive outing as PLDT moved in a tie with defending champion Creamline in first place with a 25-17, 25-19, 25-20 win over Akari yesterday in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena.
One of the High Speed Hitters’ key off-season signees, Baron had match-bests three service aces and two blocks and matched Erika Santos’ eight attacks to finish with 13 points.
Except for a rough patch in the third set, PLDT was in full control of the one-hour, 35-minute match to stretch its winning run to four games.
The High Speed Hitters are now level with the Cool Smashers on top with a 6-1 record, while the Chargers dropped to 2-5.
“Happy na nag-perform kami. Malakas ang Akari, sadyang ang complacency ang pinakaproblema namin kung sakali,” said PLDT mentor Rald Ricafort. “Pero yun, nag-perform naman. Okay lang kung ganoon ang scores, basta nakuha namin. Medyo may buwelo na going to the latter part of the tournament.”
The High Speed Hitters will have another match against another lower ranked team before wrapping up the preliminaries against the Final Four contenders.
After facing Strong Group on April 9, PLDT will have a tough three-match stretch that will possibly define its elims campaign – against Chery Tiggo (April 16), Cignal (April 20) and Creamline (April 25).
Fil-Canadian Savi Davison logged 11 points and 11 receptions, Santos had nine points, while setter Kim Fajardo fired two service aces for a eight-point effort and tossed in 14 excellent sets for the High Speed Hitters.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat hammered nine kills, Grethcel Soltones added eight kills, 11 receptions and six digs, while Erika Raagas, who entered as second and third set substitute, also scored eight points for the Chargers.
