MIKA Reyes has been providing PLDT with leadership.
SAVI Davison displayed the leadership expected of her to power PLDT to a grueling victory that put the High Speed Hitters back on track on Tuesday.
Her effort was pivotal in overturning Cignal, 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22, in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino at the Philsports Arena.
The Fil-Canadian spiker equalled her tournament average with 24 points but turned the spotlight instead on PLDT’s homegrown talents.
“I wanna give that to my teammates,” said Davison, who was adjudged Best Player of the Game.
“They’re really good at keeping me composed, telling me to chill and keep going. I can’t be here without them, so thank you, guys.”
Davison also had 12 excellent digs and 10 solid receptions.
Just when PLDT was looing at a straight sets victory, Cignal shifted the momentum in the third frame sending its sister team into panic mode.
The HD Spikers mounted their comeback with the help of their middle blockers who combined for 17 points.
PLDT was bent on closing out the match with ease, storming to a dominant 17-7 lead in the fourth set.
However, a tactical gamble by coach Rald Ricafort turned the tide after he fielded in Kim Dy, the celebrated spiker who had been on injury list since July 2023.
Dy’s entrance drew cheers from the crowd, but her first attack was denied by Vanie Gandler, sparking yet another rally by the HD Spikers.
Gandler led the charge with a series of powerful hits, and Ishie Lalongisip delivered back-to-back points, including a clutch ace, to bring Cignal within, 21-22.
But the High Speed Hitters refused to budge.
Majoy Baron broke the HD Spikers’ momentum with a well-placed power tip to restore a two-point cushion.
From there, Davison took control, delivering a decisive kill after PLDT stifled two of Gandler’s attacks, and sealed the two-hour, one-minute win with another thunderous spike.
The win improved PLDT’s record to 5-3, while handing Cignal its second loss in seven matches. It also marked a crucial rebound for the High Speed Hitters after their four-set defeat to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last Thursday.
Erika Santos provided the needed backup, finishing with 15 points while Baron ended up with 10 markers and Kiesha Bedonia, Dell Palomata and Angge Alcantara combined for 17 points for the High Speed Hitters.
It was an evenly-matched contest with PLDT barely winning the spiking and blocking duels, 57-56, and 8-6, respectively. Cignal had more aces, 5-3, but gave up 27 points on unforced errors against PLDT’s 21.
Gandler, fully embracing the role of a go-to guy following the exits of two key players, finished with 22 points while Jackie Acuña and Lalongisip backed her up with 14 and 12 points, respectively, and Rose Doria-Aquino added nine markers.
Earlier, unbeaten Creamline continued its dominant run with a 25-12, 25-21, 25-19 victory over winless Nxled.
The win brought the Cool Smashers halfway to a potential sweep of the preliminary round, improving their record to 6-0 while tying the Petro Gazz Angels (6-1) at the top of the standings with 17 points.
