Savi Davison’s high-scoring ways are now accompanied by ample firepower from her co-stars.
By the time she returned from Canada, Savi Davison had to re-acquaint herself with a much scarier PLDT High Speed Hitters core in the PVL on Tour.
Kim Kianna Dy continues to rediscover her vintage form, while Kim Fajardo is now healthier following her knee issues. The same can be said for Jovie Prado, while the Majoy Baron-Mika Reyes frontline continues to be reliable.
And on Tuesday, August 12, PLDT’s killer form allowed them to book their first-ever PVL Finals ticket at the expense of the Creamline Cool Smashers. Sure, Davison still went for a game-high 34 points, but it was also hard to overlook the efforts of her supporting cast.
“I think I’ve always felt supported. It’s not so much about what other people do in the game, it’s just another look on the other side of the court, or in the middle, or coming from different angles, so it’s not so much like I didn’t feel like anybody was supporting me,” Davison said after PLDT’s 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10 comeback win against Creamline.
Accompanying Davison’s 34 points was KKD’s 14 markers, which were crucial in helping the High Speed Hitters overcome a 2-1 deficit against Creamline. Baron also came up huge in Set 4 to finish with nine points on three blocks, while Reyes and Prado added eight apiece.
“Now, there’s people firing from all cylinders across the net, and that’s really hard to defend. So it makes my job a little easier, because it opens up some space for me right at the same time I open up some space for them, so it’s a give and take, and I’m just glad that we complement each other.”
As the icing on the cake, PLDT’s improved depth was enough to overcome Creamline’s championship core en route to the finals. Beyond extending their streak over the 10-time PVL champions, Davison is just as proud to see her team’s work finally paying off.
“It’s always a good feeling to win, but this one is just a little bit more sweet, because they are such hard competitors. It makes you look back at the hard work and sacrifice and the days, but you did,” an emotional Davison said.
Now, Savi Davison and PLDT will look to end their PVL on Tour run with a championship as they face the Chery Tiggo Crossovers this Sunday, August 17.
“Like I said, it’s a great feeling to be a part of [this team], and throughout the season we’ve grown closer together because we share sacrifices and hard work. So I’m glad that it transpired. I’m not glad that [we faced] Creamline, but I’m glad we’re going to the finals.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.