The 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference marks the return of Fil-Canadian spiker Savi Davison from a knee procedure that sidelined her for the remainder of last season.
It was on April 25 when Savi Davison last stepped on the PVL taraflex, helping the PLDT High Speed Hitters close out their 2024 All-Filipino Conference on a winning note against the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Davison proceeded to sit out the succeeding Reinforced Conference, needing to undergo a rehabilitative procedure on her left knee that suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in 2016. As a result, she could only watch as her High Speed Hitters finished in fourth place under the leadership of high-scoring import Lena Samoilenko.
While it was hard to miss an entire conference, watching from the sidelines also allowed the 25-year-old to see the game that she loves from a different perspective.
“Things move fast when you’re on the court. But kinda sitting out, you’re able to see things from a different perspective,” Davison told The GAME after PLDT’s 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference opener on Tuesday.
“Open spots, the way people interact, the way people respond to things. So I think coming from that perspective, you’re able to apply that in the game. You know? Being there for people that need it, putting the ball where people aren’t…that sort of thing,” added the Fil-Canadian outside hitter.
Davison on Tuesday had a triumphant return in PLDT’s 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference opener against the NXLed Chameleons, notching 19 points and 13 excellent digs in the four-set win. However, she admitted that coming back wasn’t as easy as it looked.
The Fil-Candian had been sidelined for six months in total, which included the offseasons that led up to the Reinforced and 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conferences. Reintegrating herself with the team wasn’t an issue, but returning to an organized playing environment was another story.
“In practice, it goes by so fast. You have to dial in every second, every minute. But [in game], there’s so many different distractions. There’s coaches, referees, fans, et cetera so you kinda just look around and you kinda have to bring yourself to what’s important right?” she reflected after their 25-15, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22 victory at the Philsports Arena.
‘Super grateful’
Apart from the lessons she learned on the PLDT bench, Davison’s layoff also taught her to be more grateful for the little things in life. With how well her recovery has gone, she couldn’t help but have an even deeper appreciation for her return to action with the High Speed Hitters.
“Of course, things went better than expected. I’m just grateful to be able to move properly again and you know? When you’re injured, you kind of take it for granted, like just walking around, jumping et cetera. So, I mean I’m just super grateful to be back where I am. To be even better, hopefully in the long run and just being healthy,” Davison said.
Tuesday’s opener marks the beginning of PLDT’s journey for the new PVL season featuring a longer-than-usual conference format. So despite the eagerness to break the team’s PVL podium drought, Savi Davison knows that taking it slow gives them a better chance at achieving their goal.
Fresh off a six-month layoff, the 25-year-old’s return to her peak form can’t be rushed either.
“I think [a long conference] is gonna be difficult, but you can’t really look at the end goal. You know, you gotta take it game by game, and by doing that you’re able to focus better, you know what I mean?” said the University of Oklahoma graduate.
Davison, though, assured that her recovery is going well. “Hopefully everything goes up from here. You know? Kind of just progression…I think I’m at 90, 95 percent. So hopefully [no way] but up.”
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.