PLDT sweeps Kobe Shinwa for 11th straight win, secures PVL Invitational finals berth

The PLDT High Speed Hitters clinched a spot in the finals of the 2025 PVL Invitational after scoring their 11th straight win with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 sweep of Kobe Shinwa Women’s University on Monday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. 

The win not only solidified PLDT’s undefeated campaign but also punched the team’s ticket to the tournament finals — a franchise first — while keeping their momentum steady heading into the last phase of preliminaries. The streak also stands as the best-ever run in franchise history.

Savi Davison led PLDT with 17 points built on 13 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while also tallying six excellent digs.

 Former De La Salle standout Rookie Alleiah Malaluan added 12 points and eight excellent receptions as the High Speed Hitters overcame a 21-point outing from Kobe Shinwa’s Nagisa Komatsuda.

The biggest difference came at the net, where PLDT tallied 11 kill blocks compared to just one from Kobe Shinwa. 

That presence disrupted the Japanese attack, limiting the impact of their 51 total spikes and allowing PLDT to control key stretches of the match even with fewer overall attack points (44).

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PLDT High Speed Hitters and Kobe Shinwa University volleyball team pose for a photo op after yesterday’s exciting match at the PVL Invitational.

#PusongPLDT pic.twitter.com/xtZtHpcMxB

— PLDT High Speed Hitters (@speedhitters) August 26, 2025

Head coach Rald Ricafort said patience was key against the scrappy Japanese squad, “ang pinaka-in-anticipate is ‘yun nga, i-respect ‘yung laro ng Japan na i-anticipate na namin ‘yung mga long rallies, sobrang gandang floor defense. So ni-remind sa kanila ‘yung patience na na-test na kami nung mga nakaraan,” Ricafort said.

 “So meron na kaming naging basis, pero ‘yun nga, kakaiba ‘yung ganitong experience. Happy kami na at least nakakua kami ng win against Japan.” He added. 

The win added to PLDT’s clean slate in the tournament, where it also defeated Chery Tiggo, Akari, Capital1, and Creamline en route to the top of the standings.

The High Speed Hitters look to finish the preliminaries unbeaten when they face ZUS Coffee on Thursday, while Kobe Shinwa aims to bounce back against Creamline on Tuesday.

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