The PLDT High Speed Hitters. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — PLDT moved closer to a bronze medal in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The High Speed Hitters edged out Farm Fresh, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11, to gain a 1-0 advantage in the third-place series on Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Another win on Thursday would mean a podium finish for the Rald Ricafort-coached squad. However, if the series will be tied by Farm Fresh at 1-1, and the championship was decided on the same game date, the result would be determined through the FIVB Ranking System.
Still, the victory was a welcome development for the Savi Davison-led squad, seeking a return to the podium after back-to-back PVL titles in the 2025 On Tour and 2025 Invitational, and falling out of Top 3 in the 2025 Reinforced Conference.
"I think we've had a pretty tough journey leading up throughout the playoffs. So, we really came into this game really wanting it," said ace Savi Davison during the postgame press conference.
Davison came through in the clutch, scoring PLDT's four of its last six points en route to a 6-1 finishing kick in the decider.
After Mylene Paat gave Farm Fresh a narrow 10-9 lead in Set 5, Kianna Dy knotted the match with a kill, then Davison scored three straight — twice on blocks and a hit — as the La Salle product followed through with another attack for a 14-10 cushion.
Jovy Prado committed a service error, but it was a mere blip in PLDT's march as Davison dealt the game-winning kill — her 33rd point -- to take Game 1.
"Sobrang hirap na, [compared] from the previous games, saka ‘yung sa laro nga ngayon, siyempre credits pa rin kay Farm [Fresh], kay coach Koji [Tsuzurabara] and sa mga players nila, talagang gusto rin," said Ricafort.
READ: PVL: Cignal repels Creamline to clinch Finals spot; PLDT booted out of contention
Davison's 33-piece came mostly from attacks, while four other PLDT players were in twin-digit scoring, led by Dy who chipped in 16 points. Mika Reyes also had 13 markers, Alleiah Malaluan delivered 11, while Majoy Baron made her presence felt in the middle with 10.
Behind that superb PLDT firepower was setter Kim Fajardo, who had 36 excellent sets.
READ: PVL: Creamline eliminates Farm Fresh, arranges Finals clash with Cignal
Meanwhile, Trisha Tubu led the other side of the net with 30 points, while the only other cog who had double-digit scoring was Ces Molina, who listed 15 points.
Game 2 is on Thursday, April 23, also at the Quezon City venue.