SAVI DAVISON fired 30 points to lead PLDT’s title-retention bid in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational in a 25-23, 25-15, 26-28, 25-14 victory over EST Cola of Thailand Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For all her brilliance, the Filipino-Canadian admitted the defending champions came into the weeklong tournament virtually unprepared but still to the challenge.
‘I think we were unprepared coming into this game, but we knew we needed to adapt,’ Davison said. ‘Thailand is always going be a strong force in volleyball, so I’m pretty glad that we were able to kind of fire from every angle and get it done in four sets.’
Davison, who had five blocks, found a perfect partner in middle Mika Reyes, who added six blocks for 16 points.
Jovie Prado, Kim Dy and Majoy Baron provided ample support with nine, eight and seven points, respectively, underscoring the depth that carried PLDT to a breakthrough two-title campaign last year, including its triumph in the PVL On Tour.
Kath Arado finished with 26 excellent digs and 12 receptions, while Jovielyn Prado also shone in defense with 21 digs and 13 receptions.
Nirarach Srikuta led the Thai side with 14 points, including the clutch hits that kept EST Cola alive in the third, while Nannaphat Moonjakham added 12 points.
Hantima Aekpatcha finished with eight points before her injury, while Papatchaya Phontham and Supawadee Panwilai chipped in six points apiece.
PLDT now turns its attention to Nxled at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, while EST Cola seeks to bounce back against Farm Fresh at 4 p.m.
PLDT dominated EST Cola across the board, outscoring the Thai squad in attacks (60-42) and blocks (14-11) with setter Kim Fajardo finishing with 29 excellent sets, eight more than counterpart Natnicha Saelao.
The High Speed Hitters also targeted EST Cola’s shaky reception to fire off six service aces while giving up just two, further capitalizing with 25 points off opponent errors compared to the 21 they conceded.