PLDT snapped its two-game skid with a four-set, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21 victory over Capital1 in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The High Speed Hitters endured a rough start to the conference, dropping their first two games against Nxled and Akari before finally notching their first win over the Solar Spikers to improve to a 1-2 record.
PLDT played without head coach Rald Ricafort, who sat out the match after falling ill. Assistant coach Arnold Laniog called the shots in his absence.
After being held to just five points in the team’s straight-set loss to Akari, Savannah Davison roared back with a vengeance, unleashing a game-high 28 points on 23 attacks, four blocks, and one ace. She also tallied 18 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs to steer the High Speed Hitters to their first victory of the Siklab series.
(C) PVL Images
“I feel like we all kinda came into this game knowing that we had something to come back from, and it’s more ourselves than anything,” said Davison.
“So I’m glad that we pushed each other during practice this week. And going into this game, we had the right mindset. So I’m just glad we came out and played to our best,” she added.
With the Solar Spikers threatening to extend the match to a fifth set, Davison and Dell Palomata hammered down back-to-back hits to fuel a 3-0 run that turned PLDT’s slim 20-18 advantage into a 23-18 lead late in the fourth set.
Capital1 mounted another attempt to steal the set, with Bella Belen’s back-row attack sparking a 3-0 run of its own to cut PLDT’s lead to just two points, 23-21.
However, the High Speed Hitters closed out the match with a cross-court hit from Kianna Dy and a block by Palomata against Belen.
Team captain Kath Arado anchored PLDT’s defense with 27 excellent digs, while Angge Alcantara stepped up with 15 excellent sets off the bench.
Dy chipped in 11 points, while Alleiah Malaluan and Palomata added nine and eight points, respectively, in the two-hour, 17-minute victory.
PLDT will look to sustain its momentum when it faces ZUS Coffee on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Santiago, Isabela.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Solar Spikers, who had won their previous two games, slipped to a 2-2 record.
Belen once again led Capital1 with 23 points on 20 attacks and three aces, alongside 19 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
Vanie Gandler recorded a double-double with 16 points and 16 excellent receptions, while Erika Santos added 15 points in the loss.
Rookie Detdet Pepito delivered another stellar defensive performance with 24 excellent digs.
The Solar Spikers will aim to bounce back when they face defending champion Creamline on the same day in Santiago at 6 p.m.
