The PLDT High Speed Hitters are turning disappointment into motivation, leaning on Savi Davison as they push to finish strong in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
PLDT opened its bronze medal campaign with a gritty five-set win over the Farm Fresh Foxies, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11, in Game 1 of their best-of-three series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The High Speed Hitters are looking to bounce back after missing out on the Finals despite entering the round-robin semifinals as the top seed, ultimately settling for a shot at third place.
“I think we’ve had a pretty tough journey leading up to the playoffs. So, we really came into this game wanting it. You know, really wanting to redeem ourselves,” said Davison, who delivered a dominant 33-point performance.
Davison Accepts PLDT’s Fate, Then Moves On
Davison acknowledged the sting of their semifinal exit but emphasized the importance of moving forward, especially with the bronze series still on the line.
“I think when you’ve been in and around sport for so long, it’s kind of just the way it is. You don’t really try to make yourself forget. You just know it’s there, and you accept it. You just kind of move on,” she said.
“Like I said earlier, going into this game, we just really wanted to redeem ourselves. So, I’m just glad that we fought all the way through the end. This is what transpires when you’re able to move on from those tough games and kind of pull together.”
PLDT’s Game 1 victory reflected that mindset, as the team showed resilience in a back-and-forth battle, responding each time Farm Fresh threatened to take control.
Up for a Strong Finish
The High Speed Hitters also drew confidence from how they regrouped late in the semifinals, bouncing back from consecutive losses to regain their footing heading into the battle for bronze.
For Davison, sustaining that mindset will be key as they look to close out the series.
“And I think just the trust that I have in the court with the girls. For everyone to do their roles, for everyone to back each other up, and support each other,” she said.
“I think, you know, it’s doing it for everyone else at this point. And just kind of finishing off the season the right way.”
