In three of the last four Premier Volleyball League conferences, PLDT has heavily relied on the brilliance of Fil-Canadian hitter Savi Davison.
The explosive scorer has tallied a total of 705 points across 118 sets played for the High Speed Hitters, capping her efforts with a Best Outside Hitter award in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
However, this overreliance — combined with injuries to key players — has ultimately hampered PLDT’s bid for a breakthrough.
The squad failed to reach the semifinals in the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference, the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, and the recently concluded All-Filipino tilt.
In Davison’s first two stints with PLDT, the team missed the semifinals by just a single game before bowing out to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in a thrilling quarterfinal match-up last March 20.
Looking to change its fortunes, PLDT earned a wildcard berth in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League following the withdrawal of Japan V.League champion NEC Red Rockets.
This time, the High Speed Hitters brought in much-needed support for Davison in the form of Cuban wing spiker Wilma Salas.
“And obviously, welcoming Wilma and trying to build that chemistry that we didn’t have prior, so I’m glad that we did have that time to prepare for the AVC because it’s gonna be pretty difficult in the next upcoming games,” Davison shared.
Salas made her presence felt immediately, backing up the University of Oklahoma alum in PLDT’s dominant sweep of Australia’s Queensland, 25-19, 25-12, 25-12, to kick off their continental campaign on a high note.
Davison still led the charge with 14 points, eight excellent digs, and three excellent receptions, while Salas chipped in 10 points off eight attacks. Their combined efforts helped PLDT move one step closer to a quarterfinals berth.
(C) PVL Images
“It’s nice not to have that ‘I must score’ feeling all that time and just set the pace on my own, in terms of how I play. Just focus on other things and help the team entirely,” Davison remarked.
“I think in this last game, I think midway through the game, I told myself I just wanted to focus more on defense and passing. Typically, that’s not something that really goes through my mind in the PVL, it’s usually towards offense.”
Armed with previous experience playing in the Philippines with Petro Gazz, Salas relished the opportunity to return, this time donning PLDT colors and finding a new “family” with the High Speed Hitters.
At 34, the seasoned Cuban spiker said there’s not much difference between her past and present PVL teams. But she’s grateful for another chance to play in a volleyball-loving country — and she’s hoping for a different ending this time.
“I’m so happy for my comeback here in the Philippines. This time, I play for PLDT. I feel so happy because I feel like it’s a family with this team. Incredible girls, super coach. Nothing more to say about this because I feel like I’m home here,” Salas shared.
“The difference is like, nothing. It’s only about the coach, different coach, different approach, go more. The coach is a good person, the girls are good persons. I think it’s like the same. Nothing much of a difference, really.”
#WATCH: PLDT’s Rald Ricafort, Savi Davison, Mika Reyes, and Wilma Salas break down their dominant win over Queensland in the #AVCChampionsLeague 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/aaftof7Amm
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 20, 2025
