Kim Kianna Dy calls out PLDT’s finishing issues after crucial PVL semifinal loss

The PLDT High Speed Hitters saw their hopes of reaching the finals of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference take a significant blow after absorbing a stunning four-set defeat at the hands of the Farm Fresh Foxies on Tuesday, April 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In a match that swung in momentum several times, the Foxies emerged victorious, 25-23, 18-25, 25-19, 25-23, dealing PLDT their second consecutive loss in the semifinal round and pushing them to the brink of elimination.

At the heart of Farm Fresh’s breakthrough win was rising star Trisha Tubu, who delivered a career-defining performance. The young spiker erupted for 28 points and showcased remarkable composure under pressure, particularly in the closing stretch of the fourth set. With the match hanging in the balance, Tubu scored all but one of the Foxies’ final seven points, powering a dramatic comeback that stunned both PLDT and the crowd.

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PLDT, which had entered the semifinals as the top-seeded team with just one loss in the preliminary phase, appeared poised to extend the match to a deciding fifth set. However, their inability to close out crucial moments once again proved costly—a concern that has lingered despite their strong showing earlier in the conference.

Star hitter Kim Kianna Dy did not hide her frustration following the defeat, pointing to the team’s struggles in finishing games as a recurring issue.

“It’s how we end the game talaga. It’s always almost there but not getting the goal. It’s really something we have to work on hanggang sa dulo because wala eh, sayang. Breaks of the game din eh,” Dy said in a media interaction.

‘I HAVE NO WORDS, JUST SAYANG.’ ❤️‍🩹

Kim Kianna Dy admits heartbreak over the PLDT High Speed Hitters slipping to a 0–2 record, but remains determined as the team continues to grind and prepare for their next semifinal clash against Cignal in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference. pic.twitter.com/4wfiFe24N7

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) April 14, 2026

“Farm Fresh wanted it more. Sayang lang ‘yung opportunity kasi we were so close to going into the fifth set,” she added.

The loss was particularly painful given PLDT’s dominant run in the group stage, where they established themselves as one of the title favorites. From a position of strength, the High Speed Hitters now find themselves in a precarious situation, with their finals hopes hanging by a thread after back-to-back semifinal setbacks.

Another defeat—this time against the Cignal Super Spikers—would officially end their campaign, making their upcoming match a virtual do-or-die encounter.

Despite the uphill battle, Dy emphasized that the team has not lost belief, even as emotions ran high in the aftermath of the loss.

“It’s sad eh, very sad. The mood in the dugout, people were sad kasi it’s tough for us na to reach the finals. We have one more game to work on and the conference is not yet over for us. We have a chance to finish strong so we are gonna continue working on sa mga kulang namin.

“We are still gonna give our all. The conference is not yet over for us and it’s still an important game. We are gonna see how do we bounce back from this kasi we can’t be satisfied with where we are now. Obviously, kulang kasi talo,” Dy concluded.

All eyes will now be on PLDT as they attempt to regroup and salvage their campaign in their final semifinal assignment against Cignal on Thursday, April 16, at the FilOil Centre.

With their backs against the wall, the High Speed Hitters face their toughest test yet—not just in terms of skill and execution, but in resilience and character—as they fight to keep their championship aspirations alive.

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