PVL: Davison relishes Van Sickle duel before much needed break

PLDT’s Savi Davison during a game against Petro Gazz in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT star Savi Davison relished her explosive duel with Petro Gazz ace Brooke Van Sickle that ended in the High Speed Hitters suffering a second straight loss to end the year.

Davison’s 28-point effort wasn’t enough for PLDT as Van Sickle poured in 21 points, 12 digs, and eight excellent receptions to deliver Petro Gazz’s third straight win in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

The Filipino-Canadian spiker marveled at the reigning All-Filipino MVP for being dauntless and laser-sharp focused all throughout their game.

READ: PVL: Petro Gazz stretches streak to three with win over PLDT

Savi Davison on PLDT’s back-to-back losses. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/nYo44DEvUb

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 10, 2024

“She’s super serious. I’ve tried a couple of times to catch her like looking at me and like I’m smiling and making jokes and stuff during the game, but she was pretty locked in. So I commend her for that because I’m more of a little bit unserious than her, a little bit quirkier,” Davison said after a 12-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-20 loss.

“But I caught her a couple of times like smiling. I think there were two back-to-back sharp cross shots that I did and then she came back to me and I just couldn’t stop but laugh.”

Davison, who missed the Reinforced Conference, was thrilled to go up against Van Sickle again and she’s proud of her rival.

“I was like, man, this girl’s good, you know? She made a pretty good dent. I think she’s worth 21 points in total. So yeah, there was definitely some focus there beforehand preparation-wise, but she definitely showed up and I’m proud of her. So it’s good,” she said.

For the High Speed Hitters, who dropped to a 3-2 record to end the year 2024, Davison believes they have to pay attention to detail and reignite the fire under them to regain their winning ways when they come back next year.

READ: PVL: Savi Davison gets her groove back, tows PLDT along with her

Savi Davison will spend Christmas in the Philippines for the first time. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/uLjS5QlUeI

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 10, 2024

“I think there’s just one single problem. I think it’s multiple instances where we lack, maybe, the attention to detail. We were talking about it in the locker room about how it might be an individual effort. Maybe like preparation before the game. All the coaches believe that we have the tools and the capability to be in the top three. So I think it’s more about us holding each other to a certain standard and being accountable,” said Davison.

“You kind of lose focus when this is a job. You show up every day and it’s kind of the same thing for multiple years. So it’s kind of reigniting that spark, finding your why, again, I think is a big thing. Not one thing, but just many small little things that we can work on, for sure,” she added.

Davison stressed the importance of making the most of their Christmas break to spend time with their families and prepare for a busy January at the league’s resumption.

“I’ve always been told rest plus stress equals progress. So this is our rest part. We’ve done the stress. So everyone gets to go home and recharge and family time is so important in a life where everything you do and talk about is volleyball,” said Davison, who will spend Christmas in Manila for the first time.

“I’m glad that the girls have that time to go back to their provinces and reconnect with their people and find some grounding in that. And I just hope that they use this time to, you know, find that personal growth and reflect and kind of see what they want to do come 2025.”

After a much-needed Christmas break, the 25-year-old spiker said they have to show up in practice and live up to the standard they set, hoping to start the year right against Akari, which beat them in a five-set match marred with a controversial call in the Reinforced semifinals when Davison was sidelined with a knee injury.

“I think rivalries are so interesting. I love being part of them. It just makes everything so much better and so much heavier. It makes the win sweeter, and makes the losses harder,” said Davison, whose team clashes with the Chargers on January 18.

“I’m excited to play Akari because we have that chip on our shoulder. Like it’s something to come back for. We owe them one. So of course I’m excited, but there’s intent from the whole team. So I’m just trying to add to that.”