A preseason champion has been crowned for the first time in PVL history as PLDT ruled the 2025 PVL on Tour off a gripping five-set win, 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8, over resilient Chery Tiggo at the packed Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, August 17.
This is also marks the High Speed Hitters’ first PVL franchise title since moving from the defunct Philippine Super Liga in 2020.
It’s also PLDT’s first pro league podium finish after multiple close shaves, placing either fourth or fifth in eight different conferences since the 2021 Open Conference bubble tournament that Chery Tiggo ruled as champions.
Veteran middle blocker Mika Reyes saved her best for last with a huge career-high 20-point explosion laced with 7 blocks, as she and fellow former La Salle tower Majoy Baron carried the net defense in the fifth-set blowout.
Baron also erupted for 6 blocks for 13 points, as she and Reyes combined for 13 of PLDT’s 15 blocks.
Savi Davison topscored with 23 points, while Kianna Dy added 13 points as Kim Fajardo orchestrated the championship-winning offense with 25 excellent sets.
Not to be forgotten, captain-libero Kath Arado completed the winning charge with a defensive masterclass of 29 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Resurgent spiker Ara Galang went down swinging in the heartbreaking defeat with 22 points off 18 attacks, 2 blocks and 2 aces, backstopped by Cess Robles as the only other Chery Tiggo double-digit scorer with 12 points.
Meanwhile, the Creamline Cool Smashers hiked their likely unbeatable streak to 18 straight podium finishes with a bronze medal coup in the earlier match, courtesy of a 25-17, 29-27, 25-17 sweep of the Cignal HD Spikers, which blew a 24-20 second-set lead and ultimately, its chance at bronze.
Michele Gumabao left it all on the floor with 21 points off 16 attacks, 3 blocks, and 2 aces, while Jema Galanza scattered 13 points, 12 excellent receptions and 8 digs.
Three-time MVP Alyssa Valdez wrapped a bow on a promising conference for her personal recovery journey with 12 points, laced with a game-high 4 blocks, while Kyle Negrito steered the offense with 16 excellent sets.
Veteran spiker Heather Guino-o paced the crushing loss with 13 points, as breakout star Erika Santos scored 12 to bring her total in the last four games to a staggering 92 points – an average of 23 per game.
The Mall of Asia Arena closes out as the 12th and final venue of the successful On Tour, which made pit stops in eight different provinces like Ilocos Sur, Isabela and Cebu, across nearly two months of preseason action.
PLDT earned P1 million from tournament organizer Sports Vision – another PVL first – while runner-up Chery Tiggo and third-placer Creamline netted P750,000 and P500,000, respectively.
