PLDT Pulls Off Redemption, Sends Cignal Packing to Reach the Semis

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by Cristian Andal

PLDT's Savi Davison (6)
PLDT's Savi Davison (6). Photo: PVL Images.

In a league where momentum swings can ruin even the most polished teams, PLDT picked the perfect moment to steady the ship and reclaim its edge. 

Under the weight of a knockout match, the kind that exposes every weakness and tests every ounce of character, the High Speed Hitters delivered the redemption win they had been chasing for weeks as they outclassed Cignal in four tense sets, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, Monday night at the Araneta Coliseum to secure the final seat in the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals.

And at the center of their revival was Savi Davison, the ever-reliable scorer who once again carried the scoring load with 21 markers and 13 receptions, good enough for another Best Player of the Game nod.

“We treated this like the season depended on it,” Davison said, the relief written all over her face. “Playoffs force teams to lock in, and we showed up for each other tonight.”

PLDT's Savi Davison (6) spikes the ball versus Cignal
PLDT's Savi Davison (6) spikes the ball versus Cignal. Photo: PVL Images.

They needed to. Cignal was the same squad that snapped PLDT’s 15-game winning streak not too long ago, a loss that rattled the entire franchise and reminded everyone that even juggernauts can bleed.

This time, though, PLDT didn’t blink.

After cruising through the first two sets, the High Speed Hitters nearly blew Set 3 when Cignal jumped ahead early. KT Trebichavska led a gritty push that kept the Super Spikers alive, and a late PLDT miscue allowed Cignal to extend the match. But the adjustment came quickly. PLDT settled down, tightened their blocking, and rediscovered the crisp tempo that had defined their best volleyball all season.

The turning point came in the fourth, when Alleiah Malaluan checked in and sparked a decisive run that broke a 15-all deadlock wide open. From there, Davison closed the door with three late kills, including a blistering strike to Zone 5 that iced the match after nearly two hours of play.

Nastya Bavykina added 15 points, while Majoy Baron, Kim Dy, and Mika Reyes combined for 27 more in a balanced effort that highlighted PLDT’s depth. Statistically, it was as tight as their rivalry has ever been, PLDT barely ahead in attacks (54-50) and blocks (13-12). But the difference came elsewhere: Cignal’s 27 unforced errors were simply too much to survive.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters
The PLDT High Speed Hitters. Photo: PVL Images.

PLDT advances to face the red-hot ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in Thursday’s sudden-death semifinal, a matchup loaded with firepower, star wattage, and storylines.

Redemption secured. Momentum restored. A triple-crown sweep suddenly feels possible again.