PLDT sends Creamline crashing

PLDT sent Creamline’s torrid 19-game winning streak to a screeching halt behind Savi Davison and a solid backup crew late Saturday night in their Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference game at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

But it took the High Speed Hitters five sets to get the job done with Davison leading the assault with a career-high 34 points and the team displaying its mastery of the Cool Smashers stretching back to their duels in the 2024 All-Filipino and Reinforced Conferences.

PLDT appeared poised to close out the show after taking the first two sets but Creamline rebounded to level the showdown before the High Speed Hitters took command again for a 30-28, 25-21, 23-25, 18-25 and 16-14 victory.

Despite the Cool Smashers’ valiant comeback effort, the High Speed Hitters displayed poise under pressure, particularly in the deciding fifth set.

With the score tied at 8-all, Kianna Dy’s first point from her injury provided a crucial momentum shift with a decisive kill block against Jema Galanza.

Later, Mika Reyes stepped up with another key block on Tots Carlos, pushing the High Speed Hitters ahead 12-10.

But Creamline fought back as Bernadeth Pons leveled the score at 13-all, setting up a dramatic finish.

Davison then delivered a clutch attack to put PLDT on the brink of victory before Dell Palomata and Jules Ceballos sealed the win with a game-winning block on Carlos’ final attempt.

“I’m tired but very glad. My team held out in the fifth set,” said Davison, who earned Best Player of the Game honors.

“I’m just proud of how hard we worked to get this win.”

Head coach Rald Ricafort emphasized the significance of the victory as his squad gears up for their final preliminary match against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in Iloilo.

“This game gave us the boost we needed to perform in big games. I think that’s the most important thing — also, the trust and belief that we can compete at a high level if everyone puts in the work,” Ricafort said.

Creamline’s defeat has intensified the battle for the top seed. With Petro Gazz securing a straight-set victory over Galeries Tower earlier, both teams now share identical 9-1 records.

Pons led the Cool Smashers’ attack with 23 points while Tots Carlos contributed 16.

Jema Galanza and Bea de Leon added 11 points each, while Michele Gumabao and Pangs Panaga tallied eight apiece. Alyssa Valdez, who played only in the first two sets, finished with six points.

The powerhouse teams fought on nearly equal footing, highlighting their intense competitiveness. PLDT achieved a rare feat by outscoring Creamline in attacks, 72-67, but the Cool Smashers held the edge in blocks (17-15) and aces (7-4).

Although Creamline mounted a dramatic comeback from a two-set deficit to force a deciding set, the High Speed Hitters stayed composed under pressure, showcasing their resilience during crunch time.