PLDT High Speed Hitters

PLDT High Speed Hitters
2026–27 PLDT High Speed Hitters season
Short namePLDT
NicknameHigh Speed Hitters
Founded2018
HistorySmart Prepaid Giga Hitters
2018
Smart–Army Giga Hitters
2018
Smart Giga Hitters
2018
PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters
2019–2021
PLDT Home Fibr Hitters
2020
PLDT High Speed Hitters
2022–present
Head coachRald Ricafort
CaptainKath Arado
LeaguePhilippine Super Liga (2018–2020)
Premier Volleyball League (2021–present)
2026 Invitational3rd place
Championships2
2025 PVL on Tour
2025 Invitational
Uniforms
Home
Away

The PLDT High Speed Hitters are a Philippine professional women's volleyball team owned by PLDT. The team competes in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), where they have been a member of since 2021, and previously took part in the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) from 2018 to 2020.

The team was originally known as the Smart Giga Hitters when they began play in the 2018 PSL Grand Prix. Later that year, their sister team in the PVL, the PayMaya High Flyers (who themselves previously competed in the PSL under the PLDT banner), was merged into this team, prompting a name change to the PLDT Home Hibr Power Hitters in 2019. In 2021, they, alongside Cignal, moved to the PVL as part of Cignal TV's broadcast partnership with the league. In 2022, the team rebranded once more, this time to their current moniker.

Until 2025, despite consistently finishing in the top six, the team was only able to reach the podium once, which came in the 2019 PSL Grand Prix. Their streak of middling results came to an end when the new PLDT franchise won back-to-back championships in 2025 with the core of Majoy Baron, Kath Arado, Mika Reyes, and Savi Davison. They became one of three teams to win multiple titles in the PVL after the Creamline Cool Smashers and Petro Gazz Angels.

The PLDT franchise was also the sister team to the Cignal HD Spikers until 2026.

History

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

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

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

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

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

Current roster

PLDT High Speed Hitters roster
No. Nat. Player Pos. Height DOB From
1 Philippines Nieza Viray Libero 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1999-02-12) February 12, 1999 (age 27) San Beda
2 Philippines Shiela Kiseo Outside Hitter 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (2000-10-20) October 20, 2000 (age 25) Far Eastern
3 Philippines Mika Reyes Middle Blocker 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) (1994-06-21) June 21, 1994 (age 32) De La Salle
4 Philippines Winnie Bedaña Middle Blocker 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (2001-03-20) March 20, 2001 (age 25) UPHSD
5 Philippines Alleiah Malaluan Outside Hitter 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (2001-06-24) June 24, 2001 (age 25) De La Salle
6 Philippines Canada Savi Davison Outside Hitter 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (1999-01-04) January 4, 1999 (age 27) Oklahoma
7 Philippines Seth Rodriguez Middle Blocker 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) (1998-09-22) September 22, 1998 (age 28) UE
8 Philippines Kath Arado (C) Libero 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1998-05-22) May 22, 1998 (age 28) UE
9 Philippines Kim Fajardo Setter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1993-09-30) September 30, 1993 (age 33) De La Salle
10 Philippines Majoy Baron Middle Blocker 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) (1994-12-10) December 10, 1994 (age 31) De La Salle
11 Philippines Kim Kianna Dy Opposite Hitter 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) (1995-07-26) July 26, 1995 (age 31) De La Salle
12 Philippines Fianne Ariola Setter 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (2002-11-23) November 23, 2002 (age 23) UPHSD
13 Philippines Dell Palomata Middle Blocker 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) (1995-11-01) November 1, 1995 (age 30) USLS
14 Philippines Kiesha Bedonia Outside Hitter 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (2002-12-29) December 29, 2002 (age 23) Far Eastern
15 Philippines Jessa Ordiales Opposite Hitter 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (2000-12-14) December 14, 2000 (age 25) De La Salle
16 Philippines Angelica Alcantara Setter 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (2000-11-25) November 25, 2000 (age 25) Adamson
17 Philippines Joan Monares Outside Hitter 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (2002-01-28) January 28, 2002 (age 24) Philippines
18 Philippines Jessey de Leon Opposite Hitter 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) (1994-12-18) December 18, 1994 (age 31) UST
19 Philippines Jovie Prado Outside Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1996-07-30) July 30, 1996 (age 30) Arellano
22 Philippines Leila Cruz Opposite Hitter 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) (2000-02-17) February 17, 2000 (age 26) De La Salle
Updated as of: August 13, 2026 | Source: PVL.ph

Coaching staff

  • Head coach:
    Rald Ricafort
  • Assistant coaches:
    Arnold Laniog
    Manolo Refugia Jr.
    Fritz Michael Santos
    Ervin James Peralta
  • Strength & conditioning coach:
    Juan Paolo Escaño

Team staff

  • Team manager:
    Christian Joy del Rosario
  • Team coordinator:
    Francis Ramos

Medical staff

  • Physical therapists:
    Kenneth Mary Jane Yam
    Nica Claire Ozoa
This box:

Season-by-season records

Domestic league

Philippine Super Liga (2018–2020)

SeasonConferencePreliminary roundFinal roundRankingSource
2018 Grand Prix 8th (0–10, 3 pts)Lost in quarterfinals vs. F2 Logistics, 0–3 8th place
Invitational 2nd (3–1, 9 pts) (Group B)Won in quarterfinals vs. Generika–Ayala, 3–0
Lost in semifinals vs. Petron, 0–3
Lost in third place match vs. Cignal, 1–3		 4th place
All-Filipino 6th (2–5, 5 pts)Lost in quarterfinals vs. Generika–Ayala, 0–3 6th place
2019 Grand Prix 3rd (8–6, 22 pts)Won in quarterfinals vs. Generika–Ayala in two games
Lost in semifinals vs. F2 Logistics, 0–2
Won in third place match vs. Cignal, 3–2		 3rd place
All-Filipino 6th (6–8, 17 pts)Lost in quarterfinals vs. Foton, 1–3 6th place
Invitational 3rd (1–2, 3 pts) (Pool C)Did not qualify 5th place
2020 Grand Prix Conference cancelled

Premier Volleyball League (2021–present)

SeasonConferencePreliminary roundFinal roundRankingSource
2021
(team)		 Open 7th (3–6, 9 pts)Did not qualify 7th place
2022
(team)		 Open 3rd (1–2, 3 pts)
(Pool B)		Lost in quarterfinals vs. Choco Mucho, 2–3
Won in fifth place match vs. F2 Logistics, 3–2		 5th place
Invitational 2nd (4–2, 12 pts)Finished 3rd in semifinals (2–2, 8 pts)
Lost in third place match vs. Cignal, 2–3		 4th place
Reinforced 6th (3–5, 10 pts)Did not qualify 6th place
2023
(team)		 First All-Filipino 3rd (6–2, 18 pts)Lost in semifinals vs. Petro Gazz, 1–2 4th place
Invitational 2nd (3–1, 8 pts)Finished 5th in final round (2–3, 6 pts) 5th place
Second All-Filipino 5th (7–4, 21 pts)Did not qualify 5th place
2024–25
(team)		 All-Filipino 5th (8–3, 23 pts)Did not qualify 5th place
Reinforced 4th (6–2, 19 pts)Won in quarterfinals vs. Chery Tiggo, 3–2
Lost in semifinals vs. Akari, 2–3
Lost in third place match vs. Cignal, 1–3		 4th place
Invitational Did not participate
All-Filipino 4th (8–3, 23 pts)Lost in quarterfinals vs. Choco Mucho, 0–2 5th place
2025–26
(team)		 PVL on Tour 1st (5–0, 15 pts) (Pool A)Won in quarterfinals vs. Zus Coffee, 3–0
Won in semifinals vs. Creamline, 3–2
Won in championship vs. Chery Tiggo, 3–2		 Champions
Invitational 1st (5–0, 14 pts)Won in championship vs. Kobe Shinwa, 3–1 Champions
Reinforced 3rd (6–2, 18 pts)Won in quarterfinals vs. Cignal, 3–1
Lost in semifinals vs. Zus Coffee, 0–3
Lost in third place match vs. Akari, 2–3		 4th place
All-Filipino 1st (7–2, 20 pts)Won in qualifying vs. Farm Fresh, 3–1
Finished 3rd in semifinals (1–2, 4 pts)
Won in third place match vs. Farm Fresh, 2–0		 3rd place
2026–27
(team)		 Invitational 4th (3–2, 8 pts)Won in third place match vs. Creamline, 3–1 3rd place
Notes
  1. ↑ Team had twice-to-beat advantage.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Best-of-three series.
  3. ↑ Opposing team had twice-to-beat advantage.
  4. ↑ Although PLDT qualified for the 2024 Invitational Conference, the team declined the invitation to participate in the conference.

AVC Women's Volleyball Champions League

YearPreliminary roundFinal roundRankingSource
2025 2nd (1–1, 4 pts) (Pool D)Lost in quarterfinals vs. Zhetsyu, 0–3 7th place

Individual awards

Premier Volleyball League

Season Conference Award Name Source
2022 Invitational 1st Best Middle Blocker Philippines Mika Reyes
2nd Best Middle Blocker Philippines Dell Palomata
2023 1st All-Filipino Best Libero Philippines Kath Arado
Invitational Best Libero Philippines Kath Arado
2024–25 Reinforced Best Middle Blocker Philippines Mary Joy Baron
All-Filipino Best Outside Spiker Philippines Canada Savi Davison
2025–26 PVL on Tour Most Valuable Player (Finals) Philippines Mika Reyes
Best Middle Blocker Philippines Majoy Baron
Best Libero Philippines Kath Arado
Invitational Most Valuable Player (Conference) Philippines Canada Savi Davison
Most Valuable Player (Finals) Philippines Kath Arado
Best Libero
Reinforced Best Outside Spiker Philippines Canada Savi Davison
All-Filipino Best Libero Philippines Kath Arado
2026–27 Invitational Best Outside Spiker Philippines Canada Savi Davison
Best Libero Philippines Kath Arado

Philippine Super Liga

Season Conference Award Name Source
2019 Grand Prix Best Middle Blocker (foreign) United States Grace Lazard
Best Opposite Spiker (local) Philippines Aiko Urdas

Team captains

Former players

Foreign players

 Cuba
 France
 Russia
 UK
 USA

Draft history

Season Pick No. Name
20248Angelica Alcantara
20259Alleiah Malaluan
21Zenneth Perolino
20267Fianne Ariola

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. ↑ "Akari shocks PLDT in wild bronze medal thriller". Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  21. ↑ "PLDT dominates decider, sweeps Farm Fresh for AFC bronze". Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  22. ↑ "PLDT deals Creamline another blow, claims bronze". Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ "Tots Carlos takes Invitational MVP crown". pvl.ph. Premier Volleyball League. August 14, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  25. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (March 30, 2023). "Creamline's Tots Carlos wins third PVL MVP award". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  26. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (July 30, 2023). "Cignal's Ces Molina crowned 2023 PVL Invitational MVP". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ "Bernadeth Pons named PVL Reinforced Conference MVP - News | PVL - Premier Volleyball League". pvl.ph. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  29. ↑ "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.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ "Erika Santos shines as PVL on Tour MVP". Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Davison claims first MVP trophy after all-around brilliance". Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  33. ↑ 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.
  34. ↑ "Brooke Van Sickle joins elite group with third MVP". Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Gandler crowned MVP as Cignal star headlines PVL Premier Team". Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Phontham makes PVL history as first guest-team MVP". Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  37. 1 2 "New-look Cignal, debuting Smart Prepaid eye solid PSL campaigns". ABS-CBN Sports. February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  38. ↑ 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.
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ "PLDT signs Russian Anastasiia Bavykina ahead of Reinforced Conference". Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  41. ↑ Demigillo, Kiko (September 16, 2025). "PLDT brings in veteran Anastasiia Bavykina for PVL Reinforced Conference". onesports.ph. Retrieved September 16, 2025.