Dethroned champion PLDT followed the same script, taking down Creamline anew, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, to turn heartbreak into bronze in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Tuesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Just two days after stunning the Cool Smashers in a five-set thriller to knock them out of the finals race, the High Speed Hitters struck again when it mattered most. The team put together another emphatic performance to cap their campaign on a high note.
It was a sweet consolation for PLDT, which entered the tournament looking to defend its title before costly losses to Nxled and Ho Chi Minh City booted them out of the finals race.
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Savannah Davison once again turned in a stellar performance, erupting for a game-high 29 points on 26 attacks and three aces. She also added 15 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions to follow up her 37-point explosion in their previous win over Creamline.
The High Speed Hitters had to dig deep in the fourth set, climbing out of an 18-15 hole with a gritty 5-2 run to force a 20-all deadlock that eventually stretched to 21-all.
Jovie Prado and Davison then delivered back-to-back hits to put PLDT ahead, 23-21, before Prado committed a service error that trimmed the lead to one.
Davison took matters into her own hands from there. She powered through the block before brushing the ball off Jaja Santiago-Minowa for the game-winning point, finally putting an end to the two-hour battle and securing the High Speed Hitters’ second consecutive bronze finish.
“Definitely, marami kaming natutunan. Ganun talaga ’yung dine-demand sa amin: mag-show up talaga na lagi kaming dapat halos perfect, para makuha namin ’yung pinaka-goal namin. Dadalhin namin ’yung lessons for the next conference,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Tama ’yung sa momentum, pero ganun pa rin, pag-iigihan pa rin namin for the next. Pero, siyempre, we’re very happy na for the last two conferences, nakapag-third place kami,” he added.
Prado provided 12 points and 15 excellent receptions for the High Speed Hitters. Kianna Dy and Mika Reyes then added 10 and eight points, respectively.
Kim Fajardo orchestrated the offense while contributing 15 excellent digs, while Kath Arado anchored the floor defense with 17 excellent digs.
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On the other hand, Santiago-Minowa paced the Cool Smashers with 19 points on 13 attacks, three blocks, and three aces.
Jema Galanza delivered 16 points and nine excellent digs, while Tots Carlos and Ishie Lalongisip added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Creamline missed the podium for only the second time since 2017.
