Savannah Davison powered PLDT to a statement victory over traditional powerhouse Creamline, leading the High Speed Hitters to a straight-set, 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 win to open their 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference campaign Thursday at the Filoil Centre.
Davison set the tone early, delivering 13 crucial points in the first set to give her team a confidence boost and momentum for a winning start in the all-local clash.
The Fil-Canadian star finished with 26 points on 23 attacks and three kill blocks, adding 11 digs and 10 precise receptions. Her all-around performance proved instrumental in keeping PLDT in command throughout the match.
(C) PVL Images
“You know what, they were pretty intimidating when they came out. I’m not going to lie, all of them were complete. I knew that it was going to be a hard match,” said Davison after the victory.
“Like I said, I’m just happy that we were able to win tonight. We try to do this every game coming forward. I don’t want to take it to our head, but it’s one game at a time,” she added.
The High Speed Hitters nearly lost control in the third set after Davison and Kim Fajardo committed back-to-back errors, tying the game at 23-all. But the PVL Invitational MVP came through in the clutch, slipping past blockers on her third attempt to put PLDT at match point, before Jovelyn Prado roofed Tots Carlos for the winning point.
Creamline challenged for a net touch in an attempt to extend the match, but both Mika Reyes and Prado kept their hands clean, allowing PLDT to maintain the point and seal the hard-fought victory.
“Yun nga, every time na Creamline talaga ‘yung kalaban, gusto talaga namin ‘yung challenge. Nilalabas talaga nila ‘yung laro ng mga players na alam nila na big game talaga palagi, especially bumalik si Jia and Pons, mataas ‘yung respect namin sa dalawa,” said High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Kaya naging gano’n din ‘yung tutok. Siguro sumakto lang din talaga na ‘yung momentum coming from our training camp, medyo nandun pa. Kaya very happy kami sa naging result,” he added.
Kianna Dy tallied nine points for PLDT, while Prado and Majoy Baron added seven and six markers, respectively, in the one-hour, 28-minute match. Fajardo dished out 18 excellent sets along with two points, while team captain Kath Arado led the defense with 14 excellent digs.
PLDT will look to sustain its dominant start against Capital1 on Thursday at 4:30 p.m., at the same venue.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Cool Smashers, who welcomed back Jia De Guzman, Bernadeth Pons, and Jema Galanza, struggled to contain Davison’s relentless attack in their rough start to the conference.
Pons recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 11 excellent digs, and 10 receptions, while Tots Carlos added 11 points and eight digs. De Guzman contributed 12 excellent sets in the loss.
Creamline will aim for its first victory in its much-anticipated clash against Choco Mucho on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
