Setter Kim Fajardo made her much-awaited debut with PLDT and showed a great connection with the High Speed Hitters to crush hapless Galeries Tower, 25-22, 25-6, 25-9, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The veteran playmaker, a recruit from the disbanded F2 Logistics, efficiently ran PLDT’s plays despite a short time adapting to the system of head coach Rald Ricafort.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho blasted Nxled, 25-12, 25-22, 25-18, sans starting setter Deanna Wong.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Sisi Rondina fired 17 points off 16 attacks and one ace to lead the Flying Titans.
Recruit Mars Alba, who transferred to the club after the withdrawal of F2 Logistics, filled in for Wong, who was in the game but was not uniform.
Ivy Lacsina, who was initially expected to play early next month due to a right knee injury, saw action in a lost cause.
Fajardo tallied 11 excellent sets that helped the High Speed hitters hammer down 47 attack points with Filipino-Canadian Savi Davison pounding the bulk of PLDT’s spikes with 16.
“At first I struggled but I was able to adjust because of the guidance of my coaches. I’m just happy I got a great result on my first game, although I still have a lot to polish,” Fajardo said.
The High Speed Hitters had a rusty start as they went behind early in the opening set. The Highrisers kept the frame close only to fizzle out in the closing moments of the opening set.
PLDT found its rhythm in the second set, burying Galeries Tower in double digits. It was more of the same in the third set as the High Speed Hitters joined other opening day winners Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz after disposing of the Highrisers in 63 minutes.
Davison, the 2023 2nd All-Filipino Conference scoring leader, finished with 19 points she spiked with nine digs and eight excellent receptions for an all-around performance.
The prized winger praised Fajardo, who along with Majoy Baron and injured opposite spiker Kim Kianna Dy joined PLDT during the offseason, for a great job in her first stint with the club.
“I think having her smarts is a really big thing that we take advantage of,” she said.
“Her being a setter, her being offensive (minded) is one thing, but her talking to everyone and telling us what to do and what to run is a really good sign of leadership on the court.”
Jules Samonte added 15 points, Fiola Ceballos got seven while Baron and Jessey De Leon combined for eight markers for the High Speed Hitters.
No Highriser player scored in double figures with Norielle Ipac posting seven points.
France Ronquillo and Shola Alvarez got four each for Galeries Tower, who played sans Roma Doromal and Audrey Paran.
