PLDT rediscovers foothold amid much-improved PVL field
The High Speed Hitters finally recapture that winning feeling. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
PLDT found out the hard way that the competition it once knew how to beat has changed.
Two straight losses to open the PVL All-Filipino Conference forced the High Speed Hitters to confront a new reality: Rivals have grown stronger, and last season’s success was just that—last season.
Savi Davison delivered the response Saturday, scoring 28 points as PLDT rallied past Capital1, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21, at Filoil EcoOil Centre for its first victory in three matches.
READ: PVL: Feeling the pressure, Savi Davison, PLDT end early slump
“I think we kind of woke up and realized that everyone’s getting better every single day,” Davison said. “We really had to push ourselves in practice in the last week to wake ourselves up, and I’m just glad it came to fruition.”
The wake-up call came after defeats to Nxled and Akari, the latter holding Davison to five points. Against Capital1, she struck for 23 kills, four blocks and an ace, adding 18 excellent receptions and 10 digs.
Davison pointed to the return of Alas Pilipinas players to their club teams after the Invitational Conference as one reason the field has become tougher.
“They make a really big difference when they’re back on certain teams,” she said. “We just knew that we had to start playing to our potential to make sure that we can compete amongst the best because the competition here in the Philippines is getting a lot better every conference.”
For captain Kath Arado, the adjustment goes beyond scouting stronger opponents. PLDT, which won two titles last year, is learning how different it feels to remain on top rather than getting to it.
“We’re used to starting from the bottom and working our way up,” Arado said. “We’re not as used to being at the top and having to maintain that position or do even better.”
Arado steadied the defense with 27 digs, helping PLDT contain a Capital1 attack led by Bella Belen, who posted her fourth consecutive triple-double with 23 points, 19 receptions and 10 digs.
Vanie Gandler added 16 points and Erika Santos posted 15 for Capital1, which fell to 2-2. Kianna Dy scored 11 for PLDT, while Alleiah Malaluan supplied nine off the bench.
Dell Palomata chipped in eight points, with setter Angelica Alcantara distributing 15 excellent sets.
PLDT won without coach Rald Ricafort, who was ill, with Arnold Laniog directing the team from the sidelines.
While the initial setbacks do not define PLDT, Davison made clear the standard has shifted: They cannot expect to keep pace with the league simply by playing the way they did before.
PLDT faces ZUS Coffee on Thursday in Santiago, Isabela. INQ
