The PLDT High Speed Hitters sent shockwaves through the volleyball world after stunning the Creamline Cool Smashers in a gripping five-set thriller, 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10, to punch their ticket to the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour finals.
It was a victory that not only secured PLDT’s maiden trip to the championship stage but also reinforced their newfound dominance over Creamline, extending their winning streak against the powerhouse squad to four straight matches since the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
Savi Davison was nothing short of sensational in the semifinals clash, delivering 34 points—just one shy of her PVL career-high—including 30 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
Her all-around performance didn’t stop at scoring, as she also tallied nine excellent digs and nine excellent receptions, making her a constant presence on both ends of the court.
“She was a bit stiff at the start, but we kept going back to those past games where we came up short and that became our motivation. That’s what really pushed us to fight for this win.” Said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort.
The win also snapped Creamline’s remarkable streak of eight consecutive finals appearances. Despite the gallant efforts of Jema Galanza and Filipino volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez, the Cool Smashers struggled to seize control in the deciding set, where PLDT’s composure and aggressive play proved decisive.
With the breakthrough victory, PLDT now turns its focus to capturing a historic first PVL title. Standing in their way is the Chery Tiggo Crossovers—a squad hungry to claim its second championship after a four-year drought.
Led by veterans like Ara Galang, Chery Tiggo is making its return to the finals for the first time since their 2021 title run.
For PLDT, the journey to this moment has been long and challenging. In their four-year stint in the pros, they have endured four failed semifinal campaigns and have never reached the PVL podium—until now. This finals berth is more than just a chance at a trophy; it’s a statement that the High Speed Hitters have arrived as a force to be reckoned with in Philippine volleyball.
The High Speed Hitters will try to win it all against Chery Tiggo on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.