Already a formidable force with their all-Filipino core, PLDT looked even more lethal with the return of Fil-Canadian standout Savi Davison, delivering a convincing 25-21, 25-21, 25-19 sweep of ZUS Coffee to secure the second semifinal berth in the PVL On Tour at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Thursday night.
Davison, fresh from a break and playing in just her second match of the tournament, hardly showed signs of rust. The explosive wing spiker announced her comeback in style, pouring in 18 points and tallying seven excellent digs in a performance that reflected her elite pedigree and seamless reintegration into the High Speed Hitters' dynamic system.
But while Davison’s presence undoubtedly energized the squad, it was PLDT’s continued mastery at the net and their all-around cohesion that spelled the difference.
The High Speed Hitters’ near-impenetrable net wall neutralized ZUS Coffee’s top scorer, Chinnie Arroyo, who was held to just 10 points after a 21-point explosion against Choco Mucho last Tuesday.
The Thunderbelles’ rising star grew tentative under the relentless pressure, struggling to find seams in PLDT’s suffocating block, often opting for safer angles that failed to yield points.
“We worked so hard to be here and we deserve to be in the Top 4,” said Davison, back in her element and reinforcing PLDT’s already-potent lineup. “I’m glad it’s finally transpiring.”
In truth, PLDT had already asserted dominance in the preliminaries even without Davison. But with the ace open spiker back in harness, the rest of the contenders are now facing a far more formidable High Speed Hitters squad.
Davison delivered a spectacular 28-point outburst in her return, even as she admitted surprise at being fielded in the starting unit by coach Rald Ricafort, who opted to shake things up by tapping her over a tested local starter.
“I was surprised to start for the team, but at least I was able to contribute in the way that I know how,” she said. “The girls welcomed me with open arms, and I couldn’t be any happier.”
Unfortunately for the Thunderbelles, their magical run came to a screeching halt in the face of PLDT’s firepower and unrelenting defense, bowing in just one-hour and 19 minutes.
The Thunderbelles had shown grit and tenacity throughout the tournament, winning four of their last five matches via five-set marathons, including a dramatic comeback from two sets down to stun the Flying Titans.
They showed glimpses of that same fighting spirit in the first two sets but couldn't match the High Speed Hitters’ endgame poise and closing flurry.
PLDT came out blazing in the third, racing to a 16-6 advantage. ZUS Coffee threatened to close in at 14-17 following a Fiola Ceballos hit, but a timely timeout by Ricafort shifted the momentum as the High Speed Hitters responded with a five-point burst highlighted by a Mika Reyes quick attack, a Kim Dy off-the-block kill, and a string of ZUS errors.
Still, the Thunderbelles didn’t go down without a fight. Channeling their trademark endgame surge, they rattled off four straight points to trim the gap. But Dy fired a clutch hit, and Davison sealed the match with a booming kill and a putaway off an overpass, nullifying a late Arroyo effort.
Jovie Prado provided solid support with 10 points, while Chinny Dy chipped in eight markers. Dell Palomata and Majoy Baron added five points apiece as PLDT narrowly edged ZUS Coffee in attacks, 45-43, and in blocks, 8-5.
The High Speed Hitters also delivered four service aces while limiting the Thunderbelles to just one, and capitalized on their opponents’ miscues, converting 17 points off errors compared to the 12 they gave away.
With Arroyo held in check, rookie AC Miner stepped up with 13 points. But support was lacking as Jovelyn Gonzaga was limited to seven, while Kate Santiago and Fiola Ceballos managed just five markers each.
Kim Fajardo also got the better of Cloanne Mondonedo in their playmaking battle, dishing out 19 excellent setsfiv, e more than her ZUS Coffee counterpart.
PLDT will face the winner in the Creamline-Farm Fresh showdown in the Final 4.
Save for a shaky start, PLDT controlled the tempo midway through the first set, with their suffocating blocks neutralizing the Thunderbelles’ wing attacks and their floor defense feeding their fast-paced transition plays. The team’s chemistry, depth and confidence were on full display as they kept their composure and momentum in crucial stretches, refusing to give ZUS any opening.
The win not only solidified PLDT’s semifinal spot but also reinforced their growing status as title favorites, with their combination of offensive firepower, defensive discipline, and mental toughness.
PLDT squandered a 16-11 lead in Set 1 as ZUS Coffee, fueled by Mondonedo’s brilliant playmaking and the combined firepower of Gonzaga and Ceballos, stormed back with a rousing 8-3 run. Gonzaga tied it at 19 with a sharp cross-court hit.
Mondonedo then put the Thunderbelles back in front with a crafty 1-2 play, and Maika Ortiz kept them afloat with a quick attack that canceled out Davison’s drop ball from the back row.
But PLDT’s depth came to the fore in the clutch, with Prado igniting the High Speed Hitters’ decisive 5-0 closing run. She hammered a power hit to tie the set, followed it up with an ace, then Dy denied Ceballos at the net before a four-touch violation by ZUS Coffee brought PLDT to set point. Davison then sealed the deal with a booming spike, capping a scorching finish that stunned the Thunderbelles.
Davison carried her momentum into the second frame, matching her first-set 10-point output and leading PLDT’s charge from multiple one-point deficits – the last at 14-15 – following a block and kill by Miner.
Unstoppable in open court, Davison unloaded a string of five straight hits as if on a hitting drill, the last a thunderous kill that gave PLDT a 22-18 cushion.
ZUS Coffee finally ended the drought with a combination play, but Ortiz’s service miscue was followed by a Davison error from the line. Still, Prado once again delivered in the clutch with a kill before Miner kept ZUS Coffee alive with a two-handed push after a long rally.
However, the Thunderbelles’ hopes were dashed once more – not by PLDT’s attack but by their own miscue – as Arroyo’s attack error handed the High Speed Hitters another four-point win and a commanding two-set lead.
With both offense and defense clicking, PLDT has clearly shifted into a higher gear – just in time for the semifinals.
