Savi Davison and the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the PVL on Tour semifinals against Creamline Cool Smashers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Savi Davison scored eight of her 34 points in the fifth set to send PLDT to the PVL finals for the first time.
The Filipino-Canadian spiker never wavered and willed PLDT to a come-from-behind 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10 win over Creamline in the on Tour semifinal on Tuesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: With Davison again in the lead, High Speed Hitters hope to sustain PVL On Tour tear
Davison caught fire in the fourth to force a decider before setting the tone for the High Speed Hitters with a 10-7 lead in the fifth.
Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez cut it down to one, 10-9, but Davison scored four of PLDT’s last five points.
“When she (Savi) came back in the fifth, she looked more relaxed,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort in Filipino.
Savi Davison and the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the PVL on Tour semifinals against Creamline Cool Smashers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“She was a bit stiff at the start, but we kept going back to those past games where we came up short and that became our motivation. That’s what really pushed us to fight for this win.”
PLDT makes its championship game debut against Chery Tiggo on Sunday in a winner-take-all at Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: PVL on Tour: PLDT has added offense as Savi Davison returns in Cebu
“I’m just really, really happy. It feels so fulfilling to play in a game like this again. To have this kind of opportunity, and to go up against Creamline of all teams, and actually perform well on this kind of stage. It means a lot,” said Ricafort after staying unbeaten in seven games this preseason.
“We always fell just a bit short. But this time, everything just seemed to click. We’re really happy we got the win. Now it’s just one last game. Just one more push.”
Davison tallied the preseason high in scoring with 30 kills, two blocks, and two aces on top of nine digs and nine excellent receptions.
Kath Arado also displayed tremendous floor defense with 23 receptions and 16 digs.
Kianna Dy had 14 points. Majoy Baron delivered nine points, while Jovy Prado and Mika Reyes added eight each, with Kim Fajardo tossing 25 excellent sets.
Creamline missed the PVL championship game for the first time since the 2022 Reinforced Conference. It battles for bronze against Cignal.
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Galanza led the way with 20 points. Alyssa Valdez had 18 points, 14 receptions, and 10 digs. Michele Gumabao contributed 16 points, while Pangs Panaga drilled six blocks for 11 points.