Savi Davison dazzles in AVC debut as PLDT cruises to victory
PLDT’s Savi Davison during the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Savi Davison dazzled in her first game on the international stage, powering PLDT’s romp of Queensland Pirates, 25-19, 25-12, 25-12, in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League on Sunday at Philsports Arena.
Davison drilled 14 points all on attacks to put the High Speed Hitters on the verge of the quarterfinals with an early 1-0 lead in Pool D.
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“I’m very happy to have this opportunity, especially here in the Philippines. I think my first international tournament, I was kind of going to it, not expecting anything out of the ordinary, just a simple game, try to keep it back to the basics,” said Davison. “Like coach said beforehand, like it’s the same game, it’s going to look the same out of system, passing-wise, serving-wise, so just try and take control our side of the court and I think we did a good job.”
Besides Davison, former national team star Mika Reyes also shone for PLDT with 11 points off nine kills, one block, and an ace, while Cuban import Wilma Salas chipped in 10 points.
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, Mika Reyes, Wilma Salas, and Savi Davison after beating Queensland. #AVCChampionsLeague | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/H6KR34yamZ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 20, 2025
“I think midway through the game, I told myself I just wanted to focus more on defense and passing. Typically, that’s not something that really goes through my mind in the PVL, it’s usually towards offense. So, it’s nice not to have that ‘I must score’ feeling all that time and just set the pace on my own, in terms of how I play. Just focus on other things and help the team entirely,” said the Filipino-Canadian hitter.
PLDT started off the wrong foot with the Pirates unleashing a 6-1 start in the first set. But Davison and Salas restored order and help their team pull away midway through the opening frame.
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Savi Davison on her #AVCChampionsLeague debut. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/R9pzMQgGj3
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 20, 2025
The High Speed Hitters never looked back and dominated the Australians to build enough confidence ahead of Tuesday’s match against Thailand powerhouse, Nakhon Ratchasima.
Kianna Dy also made her first start as a High Speed Hitters and finished with four points, showing good progress since her comeback from a knee injury in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Davison, who earned the Best Outside Hitter in the PVL, is also determined to bounce back after a heartbreaking quarterfinals exit in the All-Filipino Conference.
“I think the silver lining is that we got to rest coming off the PVL quarterfinals and we went back to the basics during training and stuff. And obviously, welcoming Wilma and trying to build that chemistry that we didn’t have prior, so I’m glad that we did have that time to prepare for the AVC because it’s gonna be pretty difficult in the next upcoming games,” she said.
No one from the Australian club scored in double figures with Alisha Stevens and Lilyana Stanojevic leading the way with eight points each.
