PLDT High Speed Hitters

Last updated

PLDT High Speed Hitters
PLDT High Speed Hitters logo.png
Short namePLDT
NicknameHigh Speed Hitters
Founded2018
Head coachRald Ricafort
Captain Kath Arado
League Premier Volleyball League
Philippine Super Liga (2018–2020)
2025 Invitational Champions
Uniforms
Kit short left arm.png
Kit body thinredsides.png
Kit body.svg
Kit short right arm.png
Kit shorts.svg
Home
Kit short left arm.png
Kit body thinwhitesides.png
Kit body.svg
Kit short right arm.png
Kit shorts.svg
Away
Championships
Premier Volleyball League: 2
(2025 PVL on Tour, 2025 Invitational)

The PLDT High Speed Hitters (formerly the Smart Giga Hitters and the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters) is a professional women's volleyball team owned by PLDT.

Contents

History

The team debuted in 2018 as the Smart Prepaid Giga Hitters. [1] The team was owned by Smart Communications. [1]

For the 2018 PSL Invitational Cup, the team partnered with the Philippine Army Lady Troopers and competed as the Smart–Army Giga Hitters. [2]

In September 2018, the PayMaya High Flyers, their affiliate team in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), was merged with the team. [3] In February 2019, the Smart Prepaid Giga Hitters changed its name to the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters. [4]

The team transferred to the PVL in February 2021, following the league's professionalization. [5] The team changed their name to the High Speed Hitters in January 2022, in a lead up to the upcoming PVL season. [6]

PLDT won the 2025 PVL on Tour tournament, its first ever league title. [7] They followed it by winning the 2025 Invitational Conference defeating Japanese guest team Kobe Shinwa University in the final. [8]

Names

Current roster

PLDT High Speed Hitters roster
No.Nat.PlayerPos.HeightDOBFrom
1 Flag of the Philippines.svg Maria Nieza Viray Libero1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1999-02-12) February 12, 1999 (age 26) San Beda
2 Flag of the Philippines.svg Shiela Mae Kiseo Outside Hitter1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (2000-10-20) October 20, 2000 (age 24) Far Eastern
3 Flag of the Philippines.svg Mika Reyes Middle Blocker1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) (1994-06-21) June 21, 1994 (age 31) De La Salle
5 Flag of the Philippines.svg Alleiah Jan Lina Malaluan Outside Hitter (2002-06-24) June 24, 2002 (age 23) De La Salle
6 Flag of the Philippines.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Savi Davison Outside Hitter1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (1999-01-04) January 4, 1999 (age 26) Oklahoma
7 Flag of the Philippines.svg Zenneth Irene Perolino Middle Blocker (2001-04-08) April 8, 2001 (age 24)Enderun
8 Flag of the Philippines.svg Kath Arado  (C)Libero1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1998-05-22) May 22, 1998 (age 27) UE
9 Flag of the Philippines.svg Kim Fajardo Setter1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1993-09-30) September 30, 1993 (age 31) De La Salle
10 Flag of the Philippines.svg Majoy Baron Middle Blocker1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) (1994-12-10) December 10, 1994 (age 30) De La Salle
11 Flag of the Philippines.svg Kim Kianna Dy Opposite Hitter1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) (1995-07-26) July 26, 1995 (age 30) De La Salle
13 Flag of the Philippines.svg Dell Palomata Middle Blocker1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) (1995-11-01) November 1, 1995 (age 29) USLS
14 Flag of the Philippines.svg Kiesha Dazzie Bedonia Outside Hitter1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (2002-12-29) December 29, 2002 (age 22) Far Eastern
15 Flag of the Philippines.svg Angelica Legacion Setter1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) (1993-08-15) August 15, 1993 (age 32) Arellano
16 Flag of the Philippines.svg Angelica Alcantara Setter1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (2000-11-25) November 25, 2000 (age 24) Adamson
18 Flag of the Philippines.svg Jessey Laine de Leon Middle Blocker1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) (1994-12-18) December 18, 1994 (age 30) UST
19 Flag of the Philippines.svg Jovie Prado Outside Hitter1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1996-07-30) July 30, 1996 (age 29) Arellano

Honors

Team

Premier Volleyball League:

SeasonConferenceTitleSource
2021 Open 7th place [9]
2022 Open 5th place [10]
Invitational 4th place [11]
Reinforced 6th place [12]
2023 1st All-Filipino 4th place [13]
Invitational 5th place [14]
2nd All-Filipino 5th place [15]
2024 All-Filipino 5th place [16]
Reinforced 4th place [17]
2024-25 All-Filipino 5th place [18]
PVL on Tour Champions [19]
Invitational Champions [8]

AVC Women's Volleyball Champions League:

SeasonTitleSource
2025 7th place [20]

Philippine Super Liga:

SeasonConferenceTitleSource
2018 Grand Prix 8th place
Beach Challenge Cup Women's:
Men's:3rd Place
Invitational 4th place
All-Filipino 6th place
2019 Grand Prix 3rd Place
Beach Challenge Cup PLDT Home Fibr (Team A):
Smart GigaX (Team B):
All-Filipino 6th place
Invitational 5th place
2020 Grand Prix Cancelled

Individual

Premier Volleyball League:

SeasonConferenceAwardNameSource
2022 Invitational 1st Best Middle Blocker Flag of the Philippines.svg Mika Reyes [21]
2nd Best Middle Blocker Flag of the Philippines.svg Dell Palomata
2023 1st All-Filipino Best Libero Flag of the Philippines.svg Kath Arado [22]
Invitational Best Libero Flag of the Philippines.svg Kath Arado [23]
2024 Reinforced 1st Best Middle Blocker Flag of the Philippines.svg Mary Joy Baron [24] [25]
2024–25 All-Filipino 1st Best Outside Spiker Flag of the Philippines.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Savi Davison [26]
PVL on Tour Most Valuable Player (Finals) Flag of the Philippines.svg Mika Reyes [27]
[28]
2nd Best Middle Blocker Flag of the Philippines.svg Majoy Baron
Best Libero Flag of the Philippines.svg Kath Arado
Invitational Most Valuable Player (Conference) Flag of the Philippines.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Savi Davison [29]
[30]
Most Valuable Player (Finals) Flag of the Philippines.svg Kath Arado
Best Libero
Philippine Super Liga
SeasonConferenceAwardNameSource
2019 Grand Prix Best Middle Blocker (foreign) Flag of the United States.svg Grace Lazard
Best Opposite Spiker (local) Flag of the Philippines.svg Aiko Urdas

Team captains

Coaches

Imports

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Manicad, Julis (February 9, 2018). "Smart parades rookies, veterans". Volleyverse. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  2. Mendoza, Voltaire (June 7, 2018). "Lady Troopers out to regain PSL supremacy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  3. "PLDT rejoins Super Liga as eight teams battle for title in All-Filipino Conference". SPIN.PH. October 2, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  4. Zarate, Noel (February 12, 2019). "PSL Grand Prix Preview: The retooled PLDT Home FIBR". ESPN 5. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  5. Lozada, Bong (February 5, 2021). "Cignal, PLDT joining PVL". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  6. "PLDT Home to be known as High Speed Hitters in coming PVL season". ABS-CBN News. January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  7. Garcia, John Mark (August 18, 2025). "PLDT a champion at last after surviving Chery Tiggo fightback". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "PVL: PLDT rules Invitational for back-to-back titles". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 31, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  9. Agcaoili, Lance (August 6, 2021). "PLDT rips Cignal to end PVL Open on three-game win streak". Spin.ph . Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  10. "PLDT outduels F2 Logistics for 5th". Premier Volleyball League. April 5, 2022. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  11. Agcaoili, Lance (August 14, 2022). "PVL: Cignal bags bronze after comeback win over PLDT". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  12. Velasco, Jillian (November 17, 2022). "Chery Tiggo enters PVL playoffs on a high as PLDT kisses semis bid goodbye". Spin.ph . Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  13. "PVL: F2 Logistics completes series sweep of PLDT for bronze". sports.inquirer.net. March 28, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  14. "Kurashiki turns back PLDT, seals PVL title showdown vs Creamline". Spin.ph . July 27, 2023. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  15. Morales, Luisa (December 5, 2023). "PLDT outlasts Petro Gazz in five sets, ends PVL campaign on a high". Spin.ph . Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  16. "PLDT exits with a bang, drubs Creamline". Premier Volleyball League. April 25, 2024. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  17. "Cignal fight back to repel PLDT, bags bronze". Premier Volleyball League. September 4, 2024. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  18. Garcia, John Mark (March 20, 2025). "Choco Mucho books semis seat in PVL AFC by giving PLDT the boot". Spin.ph . Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  19. "PLDT finally reigns, clinches first PVL crown in On Tour finale" . Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  20. "Zhetsyu blasts past PLDT, rolls into Final 4". Premier Volleyball League. April 24, 2025. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  21. "Tots Carlos takes Invitational MVP crown". pvl.ph. Premier Volleyball League. August 14, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  22. Agcaoili, Lance (March 30, 2023). "Creamline's Tots Carlos wins third PVL MVP award". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  23. Agcaoili, Lance (July 30, 2023). "Cignal's Ces Molina crowned 2023 PVL Invitational MVP". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  24. Demigillo, Kiko (September 4, 2024). "'MVPons' finally real as Bernadeth Pons takes home PVL Reinforced Conference MVP and Finals MVP honors". One Sports . Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  25. "Bernadeth Pons named PVL Reinforced Conference MVP - News | PVL - Premier Volleyball League". pvl.ph. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  26. "Brooke Van Sickle shines bright with back-to-back MVP honors". Premier Volleyball League. April 12, 2025. Archived from the original on April 12, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  27. Demigillo, Kiko (August 17, 2025). "Mika Reyes celebrates Finals MVP plum, but says PLDT's first PVL title matters most". One Sports . Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  28. "Erika Santos shines as PVL on Tour MVP" . Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  29. "Davison claims first MVP trophy after all-around brilliance" . Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  30. Demigillo, Kiko (August 31, 2025). "Kath Arado admit surprise at being first libero to be named PVL Finals MVP". One Sports . Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  31. 1 2 "New-look Cignal, debuting Smart Prepaid eye solid PSL campaigns". ABS-CBN Sports. February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  32. Garcia, John Mark (June 8, 2024). "Lena Samoilenko back for PLDT in 2024 Reinforced Conference". Spin.ph . Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  33. Demegillo, Kiko (April 10, 2025). "Wilma Salas returns to Philippines, signs with PLDT for AVC Women's Champions League". One Sports . Archived from the original on April 18, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.