PLDT strengthens PVL Reinforced bid with Russian ace Anastasiia Bavykina

PLDT has tapped Russian outside hitter Anastasiia Bavykina to reinforce its campaign in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, strengthening its roster as the High Speed Hitters chase another championship.

Bavykina, 33, last played for Yenisey Krasnoyarsk in Russia and also had overseas stints with VC Kuanysh in Kazakhstan, where she helped the team win the Kazakhstan Cup. A 6-foot-2 scorer with national team experience, she was part of Russia’s squad in the 2015 European Games and has earned individual accolades such as Best Scorer in the Russian Cup.

“Join us as we officially welcome Anastasiia Bavykina to the High Speed Hitters family! She will be joining the PLDT squad in the upcoming 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference,” PLDT announced on social media.

Bavykina is expected to form a potent outside hitter duo with Savannah Davison, while Kianna Dy anchors the opposite position and Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, and Dell Palomata hold down the middle. With Kath Arado providing stability on defense, PLDT will field one of the most balanced lineups in the tournament.

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Join us as we welcome Anastasiia Bavykina to the High Speed Hitters family!

She will be joining the PLDT squad in the upcoming PVL Reinforced Conference.

Let’s make her feel at home and give her a follow (nastenish1313 on IG), Team PLDT! #PusongPLDT pic.twitter.com/gjRhcgXlfB

— PLDT High Speed Hitters (@speedhitters) September 16, 2025

The High Speed Hitters are coming off back-to-back titles in the PVL On Tour and PVL Invitational Conference, their first-ever championships in franchise history. They are now aiming to improve on a fourth-place finish in last year’s Reinforced Conference.

With imports playing a decisive role in the Reinforced format, PLDT hopes Bavykina’s scoring and blocking presence will give the team the edge against top contenders as it tries to extend its winning run to a third consecutive crown.

The move also signals PLDT’s intent to go all-in for the conference, especially with rivals like Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Akari also expected to bring in elite imports.

 After last year’s semifinal loss to Akari, the High Speed Hitters see Bavykina’s arrival as a major upgrade that could bridge the gap between them and the league’s perennial powerhouses.

Bavykina’s integration into the system will be key, but with head coach Rald Ricafort finding the right chemistry in recent tournaments, PLDT is optimistic the Russian veteran can quickly adjust. If her partnership with Davison clicks, the High Speed Hitters could emerge as one of the strongest title favorites in the upcoming Reinforced Conference.

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