PLDT star spiker Savi Davison. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — PLDT will advance to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Finals for the first time in its franchise history.
This, as the High Speed Hitters took down the mighty Creamline, 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10, in the PVL on Tour semifinal round on Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
They will battle Chery Tiggo on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo back in finals after 4 years, eliminates Cignal
It was all Savi Davison in the deciding frame, firing eight of her 34 points—including the game-winning kill—to clinch the five-set triumph.
Davison made sure to neutralize all Creamline comeback, just when Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza were making strides, inching closer at 10-9 with their respective hits.
The Fil-Canadian spiker fired a three-point personal run, accompanied by a Valdez antenna touch, for a 14-9 PLDT lead, reaching match point.
Michele Gumabao still saved one match point with a spike converted on Kim Kianna Dy's hands, but the unstoppable Davison found the point that officially brought PLDT to the PVL on Tour Final.
Speaking after the game, Davison was still in disbelief after advancing to her first-ever appearance in the PVL championship round.
"It's surreal. You know, I can't wrap my head around it yet, maybe in an hour or two, but I'm sure tomorrow, when we start talking about it, I'll kind of connect, but I'm just proud of everybody," said Davison, who also listed nine excellent digs and nine excellent receptions, completing a stellar all-around performance.
"I'm proud to be a part of it all. I'm super proud of our community who supports us and loves us. So, it's just great. It's a good feeling," she added.
Dy finished with 14 points, while skipper Kath Arado kept away points from Creamline with 16 excellent digs and 23 excellent receptions.
For their part, the Cool Smashers failed to make the finals for the first time since 2022.
The last time they missed the championship round was in the 2022 Reinforced Conference, where they settled for the bronze medal at Chery Tiggo's expense.
Galanza paced the Cool Smashers nest with 20 points, Valdez showed flashes of her vintage form with 18 points, as Gumabao completed the MVP-trio's double-double showing with 16 markers.