PLDT, once a team seemingly unable to break through in title runs, now can’t seem to stop collecting championships.

Just two weeks after clinching their long-awaited breakthrough title in the PVL On Tour, the High Speed Hitters raised another trophy – this time the PVL Invitational crown – with a come-from-behind 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18 victory over Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University before a loud and proud Sunday crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But make no mistake – the win wasn’t as breezy as the scoreline suggests.

Kobe Shinwa, a youthful but skilled Japanese collegiate squad, came out swinging in the opening set. With their trademark speed, crisp ball movement, and fast-paced offense, they caught PLDT slightly off-guard. Their court rotation was tight and fluid, and their well-orchestrated defense absorbed the High Speed Hitters’ initial blows.

Behind the poised setting of Sakura Furuta and the attacking prowess of Nagisa Komatsuda and Kokoro Yasuma, the Japanese side carved out a surprising win in the opening frame.

PLDT, however, was simply biding its time.

“We came into this game knowing that if they gave us the opportunity we had to take it,” said Savi Davison, who delivered another explosive 20-point performance, complemented by nine excellent digs and 18 receptions.

What made their impressive run across two tournaments even more remarkable was that they clinched both titles via sweeps – first with an 8-0 romp in the PVL On Tour, capped by a thrilling five-set victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the Finals, and then with a flawless 5-0 sweep, punctuated by a four-set triumph of the Japanese squad.

“They (Japanese) are really good team, they really challenged us. So we tried, this is probably one of the hardest games we played all year. Congrats to them as well but I couldn’t be any more proud how we came out today,” added Davison.

Kim Dy, whose emphatic block on Nagisa Komatsuda sealed the one-hour and 50-minute championship match, delivered a solid all-around performance with 17 points. Rookie Alleiah Malaluan also shone with a mature showing beyond her years, contributing 15 points, while veteran Mika Reyes added 12 markers, highlighted by crucial power tips at key moments.

“Sobrang happy and proud – all our sacrifices paid off, and we’re so thankful sa mga supporters,” said libero Kath Arado, the backbone of PLDT’s defense, who stood out with 22 excellent digs and bagged the Finals MVP award.

Komatsuda led Kobe Shinwa with a game-high 22 points, while Yasuma chipped in 14. Reira Miyazaki added 11, and Yuia Yamano and Arisu Ishikawa each finished with eight points. However, the young Japanese squad faltered when the pressure peaked, unable to sustain their intensity against the composure and experience of the High Speed Hitters, ultimately crumbling in the final stretch.

The Japanese outgunned the High Speed Hitters in attacks, 71-58, but PLDT leaned on its trademark net defense, dominating the blocking department with 11, while the visitors failed to register a single kill block.

What ultimately hastened Kobe Shinwa’s downfall, however, was their costly string of errors in crucial moments. The young squad gave away 30 free points through unforced errors – nearly double that of the High Speed Hitters, who committed just 18.

For the first time in the match, PLDT seized control of the fourth set, surging ahead at 12-8. Although the High Speed Hitters briefly wavered – allowing Kobe Shinwa to close the gap to 11-12 on a clever block-touch hit by Minami Oka – they quickly regained their composure. Middle blocker Dell Palomata reasserted her dominance with a pair of quick attacks, fueling a momentum shift that pushed PLDT to a commanding 17-12 lead.

Overwhelmed by the moment and unable to respond to the mounting pressure, the Japanese struggled to mount a serious challenge, much less a comeback. With Malaluan, Davison and Palomata leading the charge, the High Speed Hitters pulled away with authority.

Though PLDT’s trademark net dominance was missing early on – giving the Japanese side the opportunity to dictate the pace – the High Speed Hitters showed their resilience when it mattered most. Their front-line defense came alive in the final stretch, culminating in a critical moment when Komatsuda, who had saved two match points for Kobe Shinwa, launched one last desperate attempt. But this time, PLDT slammed the door shut.

An emphatic double block, anchored by Dy, sealed the deal – triggering yet another championship celebration for the league’s newest powerhouse.

The match was highlighted by a fierce, furious Set 2 battle that featured all the ingredients of a classic – blistering quick hits, booming power spikes, air-tight floor defense and stinging blocks. But above all, it was a test of sheer willpower and composure, with both PLDT and Kobe Shinwa digging deep into their reserves of grit to deliver one of the most – if not the most – thrilling sets of the tournament.

The highlight? A jaw-dropping, lung-busting rally that spanned over 60 seconds – the longest of the entire Invitational – had the crowd at the coliseum on their feet, breathless with anticipation.

The ball zipped back and forth across the net with breathtaking speed and intensity, as both squads scrambled, dove and recovered in a chaotic-yet-cohesive display of elite volleyball. When Dy finally blocked Yasuma’s attack to end the sequence, a wave of cheers, gasps and applause erupted. Even players were visibly winded – gasping and huffing after giving every ounce of effort to keep the play alive.

But that point, won by PLDT, proved to be the turning moment.

It was a rally that didn’t just put a point on the board – it lit a fire under the High Speed Hitters and reminded everyone of their championship pedigree.

Yet, Kobe Shinwa didn’t waver. The young Japanese squad, unshaken by the crowd or the moment, pushed back with their signature calm and precision. With Komatsuda and Ishikawa at the helm, they continued to pressure PLDT, even fending off three set points to tie the set at 28. Each time PLDT looked ready to close it out, the Japanese found an answer, whether through smart placement, deceptive tips or quick-tempo strikes.

On the other end, PLDT showed its own mental toughness, surviving two set points thanks to their defensive anchor Arado, whose clutch digs repeatedly kept them afloat. One such dig led to a Davison drop ball that gave them a 29-28 edge.

Still, Kobe Shinwa refused to go quietly. A clever power tip from Ishikawa tied the set once again. But Davison, undeterred despite being blocked twice earlier, showed her evolving maturity by opting for another drop ball instead of forcing a third straight hammer.

It landed clean. And on the very next play, Yasuma’s high-risk, high-velocity attack sailed long – finally sealing the set for PLDT, 31-29.

It was a heart-stopping, rollercoaster of a set that featured several ties and lead changes in the stretch. But more than numbers, it showcased the fighting heart of both teams – Kobe Shinwa with their youthful tenacity and technical precision, and PLDT with its poise and refusal to blink under pressure.

By taking the second set, PLDT not only evened the match but also snatched back the momentum, turning what could’ve been a daunting 0-2 hole into a renewed chase for the title.