Can PLDT go all the way in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference?
On the mend from a knee injury, Savi Davison could only watch as PLDT’s championship aspirations came to an end in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals.
Well before their breakthrough runs at the PVL on Tour and 2025 Invitational Conference, that tournament could have been PLDT’s first shot at a maiden title, only to lose on a controversial net touch incident against the Akari Chargers.
Over a year since that franchise heartbreak, the High Speed Hitters are back in the Reinforced Conference semis. Only this time, they now feature a healthy Davison, along with the confidence gained from back-to-back title runs last August.
With PLDT positioning themselves as title contenders, Davison is eager to do her part in ensuring that the High Speed Hitters won’t miss out on another shot at the Reinforced Conference title.
“You know? I’m just proud of myself for being up in the ranks with the imports in terms of points and contributing where I can,” Davison said after PLDT’s 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21 quarterfinals win over the Cignal Super Spikers on Monday, November 24.
“So hopefully that helps us propel past the semifinals and not have a repeat of last year. I’m just happy to contribute to my team and be a person that they can rely on defensively, offensively and kind of more on the service line nowadays,” added Davison who ranked sixth in scoring after the elimination rounds with 178 points (22.3 per game) and second in blocks with 0.71 per set.
However, Davison is also aware that rewriting the script is easier said than done. Even as legitimate contenders, the High Speed Hitters are set to face the upstart ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, who have proven to be a legitimate threat in the import-laced tourney.
Led by import Anna DeBeer, ZUS Coffee is in the midst of a franchise-best run, and recently dumped the Capital1 Solar Spikers to set up their semifinals meeting against the PLDT this Thursday, November 27.
“They’re a really competitive team and they’re really good defensively as well, and they have a vet on the right side as well [Jovelyn Gonzaga], and an import on the left side [Anna DeBeer]; like I said, Like I said it’s gonna be more of a serve and pass game,” Davison said of ZUS Coffee.
The target also remains on PLDT’s backs as two-time champions, especially now that the Reinforced Conference has entered its crucial stages.
“Feeling ko we have a target on our backs and they want to press us and compete against us, so it’s more on how we can control our side of the court more than having to adjust to someone else,” she said.
With a finals ticket on the line, Savi Davison knows it’s up to them to execute, as they already have the talent, experience, and confidence in their corner. But the Thunderbelles won’t be making it any easier, especially with their own mix of fresh legs and veteran wits.
Given everything, Thursday’s semifinals bout is the chance for Savi Davison and PLDT to rewrite their story, all while getting the chance to compete for a third-straight PVL title.
“I think it’s gonna be a mental game as well because we’re gonna have that grit of a really young team, but also have the knowledge of having veteran teams as well. And they also have Thea Gagate and she’s a really good blocker, so that’s really going to be a challenge for me,” Davison reflected.
“But like I said, we’re gonna go back and study for a little bit on where to exploit them and execute in the semifinals.”
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.