Birthday girl Dy leads PLDT past gritty Flying Titans in PVL opener

3 hours ago

Kim Dy celebrated her birthday the best way possible—by leading PLDT to a winning start.

The veteran outside hitter delivered a match-high 17 points on her 31st birthday as the High Speed Hitters survived a determined challenge from Choco Mucho, 25-21, 20-25, 29-27, 25-18, on Saturday night at the CHAVIT Coliseum to open their 2026 PVL On Tour campaign.

PLDT entered the match as the favorite against a Flying Titans squad missing several key players, but Choco Mucho refused to make things easy, pushing the defending champions through a tense two-hour, 18-minute battle.

Dy capped her memorable night with the match-winning attack and walked away with Best Player of the Game honors.

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

The victory placed PLDT alongside Creamline and Galeries Tower at 1-0, with ZUS Coffee setting the early pace after winning its first two matches.

Even in defeat, Choco Mucho impressed despite missing Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, and veteran opposite hitter Kat Tolentino.

Caitlyn Viray led the Flying Titans with 16 points, Isa Molde added 14, and Jewel Encarnacion finished with 10.

The defining moment came in a thrilling third set.

After PLDT opened a commanding 16-8 lead, Choco Mucho clawed its way back behind relentless defense and timely attacks. Viray tied the score at 24-all before Molde pushed the Flying Titans to the brink with a 26-25 advantage.

The High Speed Hitters stayed composed.

A successful block-touch challenge kept the rally alive before Reyes delivered consecutive quick attacks to restore PLDT's edge. Malaluan finally ended the marathon set with a decisive down-the-line kill, giving PLDT a 29-27 escape.

That emotional win proved to be the turning point.

Riding the momentum, the High Speed Hitters pulled away in the fourth behind Dy, Malaluan, and Bedonia, opening a 19-13 cushion before comfortably closing out the match.

Although Choco Mucho dropped to 0-2, the Flying Titans showed they remain a dangerous side, pushing one of the league's deepest rosters to the limit despite playing with a depleted lineup.