Savi’s grace
Most people say PLDT is all about Savi Davison’s offensive prowess. But on Sunday night, the High Speed Hitters showed that teamwork is what truly makes them dangerous—rallying behind a balanced attack to claim their first-ever professional title in the PVL on Tour.
Davison has been the face of the franchise’s offense for the past two years. Yet she’s quick to remind anyone who asks: this team is built on every player’s effort, and that’s what makes them a threat.
That collective strength came through in the winner-take-all final. On the verge of heartbreak after squandering a two-set lead, PLDT steadied itself behind Finals MVP Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron, who formed a fearsome net defense to repel Chery Tiggo’s comeback. With Davison’s scoring and a resilient finish, the High Speed Hitters secured a thrilling 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8 win before 11,055 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’ve been saying from every angle—we’re a threat,” said Davison, who led all scorers with 23 points. “People keep saying it’s just Savi, but in practice, in games, I cannot believe the girls that show up. I think we have some of the best athletes in our gym. I’m just so glad to be part of it. They make me better every day, and I just hope I do the same for them.”
Reyes picked the perfect time to unleash a career-best 20 points, including a championship-record seven blocks. Baron added 13 points, six of them on blocks that helped break Chery Tiggo’s rhythm in the final set. Kianna Dy also chipped in 13 points and sealed the victory with a game-winning block.
Best Libero Kath Arado anchored the defense and veteran setter Kim Fajardo orchestrated the offense. Jovy Prado and Kiesha Bedonia also stepped up—key players during Davison’s absence while she was in Canada earlier this season—helping deliver PLDT’s first PVL crown since joining the pro ranks in 2021.
Something bigger
For head coach Rald Ricafort, the championship was the long-awaited payoff for a team that had endured heartbreak after heartbreak.
“I think they really embraced their roles,” Ricafort said in Filipino. “Savi usually carries a big scoring load, but everything clicked—from Mika’s blocking to everyone stepping up.”
It wasn’t just about winning, Ricafort added. It was about learning how to close out tough matches—something PLDT struggled with during its previous campaigns, including a quarterfinals exit to Choco Mucho in the last All-Filipino Conference and a semifinal heartbreak to Akari in the previous Reinforced tournament.
“I’m happy we won the championship, but I’m even prouder that the players finally overcame something we’ve been trying to teach: how to finish and win close games,” Ricafort said. “With all the hard experiences and heartbreaks we’ve had, they never gave up. Instead of letting those struggles pull them down, they used them to grow. That maturity—that’s what made this win feel so good.”
For Davison, the win was not about individual accolades. It was about being part of something bigger.
“PLDT was here way before I got here,” she said. “I’m just glad I can contribute. People always ask me, ‘Why PLDT?’ And I can’t say anything else but I’m just so glad. It’s either PLDT or nothing for me. I found a family here.”
The High Speed Hitters won’t have much time to celebrate. They face Chery Tiggo again on Thursday to open the Invitational Conference at Philsports Arena, followed by matches against Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze and Kobe Shinwa University.
But that’s the rhythm of the game—and PLDT is ready to keep rising.
“I think it’s really about not stopping,” Ricafort said. “We always tell our players, never get too comfortable with what you’ve achieved. And that goes for us coaches too. Every conference, every year, the level of play goes up. You can’t settle. You keep chasing improvement. And you show up every day ready to give your all, knowing that no matter the result, you did your part.”
