PLDT and Akari will highlight the opening matchday of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference this New Year, marking their first encounter since their controversial clash in the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
On August 31, 2024, the High Speed Hitters were on the verge of making their first-ever Finals appearance in their three-year PVL stint, leading 14-13 in the decisive fifth set against the Chargers.
However, a pivotal moment unfolded when Ezra Madrigal hit the net after a block play, while the ball was still in play.
PLDT signaled for a net fault challenge, but it was deemed unsuccessful, as Madrigal was no longer involved in the play. The score was leveled at 14-all.
Akari seized the moment, with Grethcel Soltones stepping up to lead her team to a historic Finals appearance.
The controversial net fault challenge sparked a division among fans, with some siding with the High Speed Hitters, and the majority defending the ruling based on the letter of the law.
The High Speed Hitters, despite being so close to their first guaranteed podium finish, had to settle for a valiant effort without their top local hitter, Savi Davison. Davison was sidelined throughout the 2024 Reinforced Conference due to a minor knee injury, one she had been managing since 2017 after undergoing ACL treatment.
Not part of the dramatic battle last August, Davison is eager to add more excitement to this budding rivalry.
“I think rivalries are so interesting. I love being part of them. It just makes everything so much better and so much heavier. You know what I mean? It makes the win sweeter, makes the losses harder,” said the high-scoring outside spiker.
PLDT and Akari will face off on January 18 at the Philsports Arena at 6:30 p.m., capping a triple-header that kicks off with Farm Fresh vs. Nxled at 1:30 p.m., followed by ZUS Coffee vs. Choco Mucho at 4 p.m.
Both teams are positioned in the middle of the pack entering the second half of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, with the High Speed Hitters sitting in fifth place with a 3-2 record, while the Chargers are just behind in sixth place at 3-3.
Davison has been on fire since returning to the lineup, ranking third in the league with 119 total points across five games. She also leads the charge as the most efficient spiker, boasting a 41.2 percent success rate.
“In that case, like, of course I’m excited to play Akari because we have that chip on our shoulder. Like it’s something to come back for, right? We owe them one, right? So of course I’m excited, but there’s intent from the whole team, right? So I’m just trying to add to that,” the Fil-Canadian spiker shared.
