PLDT enters uncharted territory

PLDT is set to mark a new milestone as it competes in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League from 20 to 27 April at the Philsports Arena, making its international debut with a solid mix of firepower and familiarity.

Called up late to represent the Philippines as the third team in the tournament, the High Speed Hitters will field just two imports — both expected to play crucial roles in their campaign.

Leading the charge is Filipino-Canadian standout Savi Davison, who has quickly become one of the most electrifying scorers in local volleyball since arriving in late 2023.

Davison recently capped off a historic run in the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference, earning a spot as one of the two Best Outside Hitters.

Despite PLDT’s early exit in the playoffs, she emerged as the top scorer in the league’s eight-year history, racking up 296 points in the preliminary round alone, averaging an impressive 26.9 points per match. She also led all players in spiking efficiency at 39.35 percent and ranked fourth in blocking with 0.63 blocks per set.

But what she lacked all season was a consistent offensive partner to ease the load.

That much-needed support has finally arrived.

Enter Wilma Salas — the battle-tested 33-year-old Cuban spiker — returning to the Philippines in hopes of rekindling the magic of her first PVL stint.

Salas, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, was a dominant force during Petro Gazz’s historic 2019 Reinforced Conference championship run, capping it off with Best Foreign Guest Player honors.

She suited up once again for the Angels in the 2024 Reinforced Conference, where she continued to impress despite the team’s early exit — ranking second in spiking at 38.16 percent and eighth in scoring with 171 points, averaging 24.43 per match.

This time, Salas will be donning a different shade of red, teaming up with Davison in a one-two punch that PLDT hopes can shake up their pool opponents, Australian champions Queensland Pirates and Thai powerhouse Nakhon Ratchasima.

Meanwhile, much like Davison — who was classified as a reinforcement due to her affiliation with volleyball in another country — Petro Gazz had only one import slot left for the Champions League after filling the first two with Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips.

That final slot went to American outside spiker Giovanna Day. Standing at 6-foot-1 and aged 27, Day brings added depth and international experience to the Angels’ roster, having played for several professional clubs overseas.