Savi Davison put the PLDT High Speed Hitters on her back when it mattered most.
The star wing erupted for 32 points as the High Speed Hitters turned back the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25‑16, 25‑22, 23‑25, 25‑20, on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to keep their 2026 PVL Invitational Conference Finals hopes alive.
PLDT improved to 2‑2 and moved into solo third place after ending a two‑game skid against the Nxled Chameleons and Ho Chi Minh City.
The High Speed Hitters now face a win‑or‑go‑home situation of sorts on Sunday, when they take on Creamline in their final elimination‑round game. A victory would keep their gold medal hopes alive, although they will also need results elsewhere to go their way.
Davison Stars in Win—Again
Davison once again delivered in a big spot, finishing with 28 attacks and 4 blocks while adding 14 excellent receptions and 10 digs.
It was her second 30‑point outing of the conference and gave PLDT the offensive push it needed to withstand Farm Fresh’s late charge.
The Foxies stayed within reach at 18‑20 in the fourth set, but PLDT handed the ball to its wing hitters. Davison, Alleiah Malaluan, and Jessey De Leon combined to close the match on a 5‑2 run, ending the two‑hour, four‑minute battle.
Farm Fresh had its best chance to extend the match in the third set after recovering from a six‑point deficit. The Foxies kept fighting until Ces Molina delivered an off‑the‑block hit to cut PLDT’s lead and force a fourth set.
But PLDT regained control in the next frame and eventually closed out the victory.
Kim Dy added 15 points for the High Speed Hitters, while Majoy Baron and Mika Reyes contributed eight and seven, respectively. Kath Arado also anchored the floor defense with 24 excellent digs.
Responding to Adversity
For PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort, the victory was more about the team’s response than its status as defending champions.
“‘Yung defending champion na title, hindi siya relevant sa amin this conference kasi na‑rereverse hype lang kami. Lalo lang kami nadidistract. Mas important sa amin ‘yung naka‑respond kami galing sa Nxled and Vietnam na talo na mabigat talaga for us kasi wala talaga siyang time makarecover lalo mentally,” he said.
Farm Fresh, meanwhile, saw its Finals hopes officially end with its third consecutive defeat. The loss dropped the Foxies to 1‑3 and last in the standings.
Molina led Farm Fresh with 12 points, while Royse Tubino added 11.
Five‑time PVL Best Opposite Spiker Trisha Tubu struggled to find her rhythm, scoring just five points through the opening two sets before being held out for the third and fourth frames.
What’s Next
PLDT will now turn its attention to Creamline on Sunday, September 6, while Farm Fresh’s campaign comes to an end.
