Defending champion PLDT came into the PVL Invitational as the team to beat, but a Vietnamese guest side that had yet to win a game just walked out of the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the upset of the tournament so far. Ho Chi Minh City stunned the High Speed Hitters in four sets, 28-26, 19-25, 25-21, 25-16, to finally get on the board and throw the Premier Volleyball League Invitational picture into flux.
An upset that rewrites the early race
Coming in with back-to-back losses to Farm Fresh and Creamline, Ho Chi Minh City was winless and staring at an early exit. Instead, the Vietnamese side produced its best showing of the week against the squad that opened the tournament as the defending Invitational champion, winning three of four sets and dominating play at the net and on attack.
Ho Chi Minh City out-attacked PLDT, 64-57, and held a 10-9 edge in blocks over the one hour and 50 minute contest. The win lifted the guests to 1-2 in the six team field and snapped a skid that had threatened to end their campaign almost before it began.
Score by set
| Set | Ho Chi Minh City | PLDT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | 26 | Ho Chi Minh City |
| 2 | 19 | 25 | PLDT |
| 3 | 25 | 21 | Ho Chi Minh City |
| 4 | 25 | 16 | Ho Chi Minh City |
Captain Thanh and a 16-year-old lead the way
Team captain Dang Thi Kim Thanh powered the upset with 19 points, including 17 attacks and two aces, while adding 13 excellent digs. Right behind her was 16-year-old Ho Thi Bich Diep, who finished with 18 points and continues to look more comfortable by the match against senior competition.
- Le Thi My Xuyen: 14 points
- Dao Thi Nung: 14 points
- Nguyen Thi Hoai Mi: 23 excellent sets, 3 points
- Hoang Thi Thanh Ngoc: 11 excellent receptions, 9 digs
For a player still in her mid-teens, the Premier Volleyball League has been a steep learning curve. Bich Diep admitted she felt “picked on” at the high level of play earlier in the tournament, but her 18-point outing against the defending champs showed how quickly those lessons are translating.
PLDT’s title defense hits a rough patch
For PLDT, the result is a second straight defeat after a strong start, dropping the High Speed Hitters to 1-2. Setter Kim Fajardo distributed 23 excellent sets and libero Kath Arado tallied 23 excellent digs, but the team could not contain Ho Chi Minh City’s attack when it mattered most.
The stumble comes as Creamline keeps rolling and moved closer to the Invitational Finals, leaving the defending champion with ground to make up in the compressed group stage.
What is next
Ho Chi Minh City will look to build on the momentum against Nxled on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the same Smart Araneta Coliseum venue. PLDT, meanwhile, will need a quick response to keep its title-retention hopes alive in a field where every loss now carries extra weight.
