The PLDT High Speed Hitters played spoiler to the Creamline Cool Smashers after pulling off a thrilling 25‑17, 23‑25, 21‑25, 25‑23, 15‑12 comeback win in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference elimination round on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Already out of finals contention, PLDT refused to go quietly as they rallied from a 1‑2 deficit to eliminate the Cool Smashers from the championship race.
The result allowed the Nxled Chameleons to claim the final spot in the finals after all three teams finished the elimination round at 3‑2. Nxled edged both Creamline and PLDT on points to advance to the championship match.
“Nakakapagod. Medyo ganun talaga ’yung magiging takbo. ’Yun nga, unfortunately, ’yung gusto sana namin na for finals hindi nakuha, pero mindset ng players saka ng team walang pipiliing laro pa rin,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Lalo with Creamline, syempre very challenging talaga sila kalaban. Nilalabas talaga nila ’yung laro ng bawat isa sa amin, so kukunin at kukunin pa rin namin itong panalong ’to tapos paghahandaan namin sila sa Tuesday,” he added.
Savi Davison Goes Off With Career Game
Savi Davison spearheaded the upset with a career‑high 37 points on 35 attacks and 2 blocks, falling just 1 point short of tying Tots Carlos’ record for the most points by a local player in a single match.
The Fil‑Canadian spiker also contributed 24 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions in the 2‑hour, 23‑minute battle.
Jovie Prado and Kianna Dy each added 14 points, while Mika Reyes chipped in 11 markers, including 5 kill blocks. Majoy Baron had 8 points, while Kim Fajardo orchestrated the offense with 27 excellent sets and Kath Arado anchored the defense with 29 excellent digs.
High-Speed Endgame Seals Comeback
After trailing in the fourth set, the High Speed Hitters fought back to force a deciding fifth set. With the score tied at 5‑all, Prado sparked a crucial 3‑point run as PLDT capitalized on Creamline’s errors to take control.
Reyes then denied Tots Carlos at the net to give the High Speed Hitters a 12‑7 cushion.
Creamline managed to cut the deficit to 9‑12 after a PLDT net violation and a block from Jaja Santiago‑Minowa on Reyes, but PLDT remained composed down the stretch.
Dy delivered an attack before following it up with an off‑the‑block hit to put the High Speed Hitters at match point.
The Cool Smashers saved 2 match points, but Davison finally ended the match with a drop shot that caught the Creamline defense off guard.
Santiago‑Minowa led Creamline with 25 points on 15 attacks, 9 blocks, and 1 ace, while Jema Galanza added 25 points, 16 digs, and 16 receptions.
PLDT and Creamline will meet again on Tuesday, this time in the bronze medal match, while Nxled advances to the championship match against Thai side EST Cola.
