PLDT, Chery clash in crucial tiff

MANILA, Philippines — How far can the PLDT High Speed Hitters go in a loaded Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference minus their injured big guns – former captain Mika Reyes and blue-chip free agency recruit Kianna Dy?

The answer is in a second-best record and a crack at the top spot.

“Maganda maturity ng core,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, whose charges tackle an equally resurgent and dangerous Chery Tiggo in today’s critical elimination-round duel at the PhilSports Arena.

The 6 p.m. showdown pits two clubs that own the league’s hottest streak thus far with the High Speed Hitters on a five-game streak that hiked their record to 7-1 and the Crossovers on a four-game rampage that improve their mark to 6-2.

A win for PLDT would catapult it back to the top alongside Choco Mucho (8-1) while a Chery Tiggo triumph would propel it to joint No. 2 with league powerhouse Creamline (7-2).

And it was because of players, the old guns and new ones like Kim Fajardo and Keisha Bedonia, have blended well to form a competitive team minus Reyes and Dy, still out on injuries.

Ricafort stressed they’re in high spirits even with a crippled lineup.