Savi Davison unleashed 30 points as PLDT fended off the feisty challenge of Thailand’s EST Cola, 25-23, 25-15, 26-28, 25-14, for a winning start to its Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference title defense on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Davison delivered her 30 points on 24 attacks, five blocks, and an ace while also proving her worth on defense with 12 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.
“Yun nga first assignment, very challenging lalo, kasi usually, pag may mga guest teams tayo, sila muna yung pinapanood natin. So, very challenging para sa amin na medyo bulag kami sa preparation. Basta, ito lang talaga, finocus namin yung side namin and happy kami na naka-perform yung mga players,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
(C) PVL Images
The High Speed Hitters, who ruled the 2025 edition of the guest team-spiced conference via a sweep, opened their title defense at 1-0 against a squad composed mostly of Thailand’s Volleyball Nations League players.
Deadlocked at 12 in the fourth set, the High Speed Hitters pulled away with a decisive 8-0 run, with Davison scoring five points while Mika Reyes accounted for the other three to seal the victory in one hour and 58 minutes.
EST Cola, however, showed plenty of fight, particularly in the third set, where the Thai side displayed its grit to take the extended frame, 28-26.
Tied at 26, Nirarach Srikuta hammered a down-the-line kill before serving an ace to force a fourth set.
Reyes also turned in an exceptional performance with 16 points on 10 spikes and six blocks, while Kath Arado impressed with 26 excellent digs on 38 attempts and 12 excellent receptions on 17 attempts.
Jovie Prado also put together a well-rounded performance with nine points, 21 digs, and 13 receptions.
(C) PVL Images
Both teams will return to action on Tuesday in the week-long, high-octane Invitational Conference, with PLDT facing Nxled at 1:30 p.m., followed by EST Cola taking on Farm Fresh at 4 p.m.
Srikuta led the Thai side with 14 points in three sets of action, while Nannaphat Moonjakham added 12 points and nine digs.
EST Cola captain Hantima Aekpatcha injured her right ankle in the second set after stepping on a teammate’s foot and did not return to the match.
