PLDT, Cignal score big wins to start PVL campaign

The opening days of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference sent a clear message: continuity matters, and momentum is real.

PLDT wasted no time reminding everyone of its growing mastery over Creamline, delivering a confident 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 sweep Thursday at the Playtime Filoil Centre. What once felt like an occasional upset has now turned into a pattern, as the High Speed Hitters stretched their unbeaten run against the league’s most decorated franchise to five straight games—an astonishing streak that has lasted 811 days.

At the heart of it all was Savi Davison, who looked every bit like the reigning MVP. She detonated early, pouring in 13 points in the opening set alone to immediately seize control of the match. Creamline tried to counter with experience and pedigree, but PLDT’s pace and precision never wavered.

Even the long-awaited return of Creamline’s championship core—Jia de Guzman, Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, and Dij Rodriguez—failed to disrupt PLDT’s rhythm. The High Speed Hitters, nearly intact from last year’s title run save for Seth Rodriguez filling in for Dell Palomata, played with the cohesion of a team that never stopped building.

Davison finished with a conference-first triple-double, tallying 26 points, 11 digs, and 10 receptions, while Kianna Dy, Jovy Prado, and the rest of PLDT’s supporting cast ensured the offense stayed balanced and relentless.

Creamline, meanwhile, showed flashes of its old self but lacked its usual bite. Pons shined in her return with 13 points and a double-digit presence on defense, while Tots Carlos added 11. De Guzman’s 12 excellent sets marked her first PVL action in 922 days, yet Creamline’s biggest guns—Alyssa Valdez, Galanza, and Michele Gumabao—were largely neutralized.

If PLDT asserted dominance through familiarity, Cignal showcased the value of sharp preparation.

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DIAL IN THE WIN

Savi Davison keeps the connection strong from start to finish as the PLDT High Speed Hitters sweep past the Creamline Cool Smashers to secure their first victory of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.#PVL2026 #TheHeartofVolleyball pic.twitter.com/2rJVDAnBMP

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) February 5, 2026

The HD Spikers outlasted Choco Mucho, 25-20, 16-25, 25-19, 25-18, in a physical four-set encounter that tested composure more than firepower. After briefly losing control in the second set, Cignal leaned into longer rallies and cleaner execution to slowly wear down the Flying Titans, becoming the first team to reach two wins this conference.

Erika Santos continued her strong run from the preseason, leading Cignal with 18 points built on efficiency across attacks, blocks, and service aces. Vanie Gandler provided steady two-way production, while setter Gel Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 23 excellent sets that kept Choco Mucho guessing.

At the net, Jackie Acuña proved decisive, piling up four kill blocks among her 13 points to halt Choco Mucho’s momentum at critical junctures.

The Flying Titans didn’t go quietly. Newly formed star partners Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure delivered emphatic double-doubles, with Rondina posting a game-high 20 points and Laure contributing across every phase of play. Still, the inability to sustain pressure in the closing sets proved costly, handing Choco Mucho its first loss after a promising start.

As the All-Filipino Conference unfolds, PLDT and Cignal have done more than just win—they’ve drawn early lines in the sand, signaling that the road to the title will demand not just talent, but cohesion, patience, and execution under pressure.

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