Three-peat seeking High Speed Hitters face Belen-led Capital1 in Reinforced Conference

Games on Monday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – PLDT vs Capital1
6:30 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Cignal

PLDT opens its ambitious pursuit of a championship treble as it clashes with collegiate supernova Bella Belen and Capital1 on Monday in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters have brought in Russian 6-foot-2 spiker Anastasia Bavykina as early as a month ago with an ultimate goal of adding another crown to their breakthrough PVL on Tour title and PVL Invitational diadem early this year.

The 33-year-old Russian super league veteran has been meshing well with the team and should form a fearsome attacking partnership with Savi Davison when they battle the Solar Spikers at 4 p.m.

“She’s a great fit to the team and provides stability and experience,” said PLDT Manager Bajjie del Rosario of Ms. Bavykina.

But the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned franchise should face a Capital1 squad brandishing a force of nature in Ms. Belen, this year’s top overall rookie pick who will make her official debut.

The Alas Pilipinas standout and three-time UAAP MVP and champion at National University had actually played in the three-set defeat to ZUS last week that was eventually canceled due to International Transfer Certificate issues.

There, Ms. Belen was nothing short of magnificent, unleashing a triple-double effort of 20 points, 18 digs and 12 receptions.

And expect her to bedazzle again.

“It’s my dream to play in the PVL,” said Ms. Belen, who has high expectations of the team that will be mentored by national team coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

Also hoping to launch their respective campaigns with a bang are Cignal and Choco Mucho, who clash at 6:30 p.m. — Joey Villar