Davison drops 34 as PLDT ends Creamline’s Finals streak

Bernadette Soriano 

Savannah Davison willed PLDT into uncharted territory, erupting in the clutch to topple Creamline in five sets, 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10, and send the High Speed Hitters to their first PVL Finals on Tuesday night, August 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Fil-Canadian powerhouse, who sat out the tail end of the fourth frame, came back recharged for the decider pouring eight of her 34 points: a haul built on 30 attacks, two blocks, and two aces alongside nine digs and nine receptions.

Her return sparked an immediate 4-1 burst, capped by three straight conversions, but Creamline refused to crumble as Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez clawed them back to 10-9.

From that point, Davison went into overdrive: a thunderous hit past Michele Gumabao, a bulldozing swing through a double wall, and a slicing cut shot that froze the defense, restoring a comfortable cushion at 13-9.

Valdez’s antenna graze put PLDT on the hill, though Gumabao briefly extended the match with a scorching cross-court finish only for Davison to slam the door with a kill off Sheena Toring’s block.

“It’s surreal… I’m proud of everybody, I’m proud to be a part of it all,” said the 27-year-old from Toronto, still soaking in the franchise’s historic breakthrough.

PLDT’s furious fourth-set surge, which allowed Davison her breather, proved pivotal; head coach Rald Ricafort noted that the reset helped his star regain composure before her fifth-set takeover.

Kianna Dy tallied 14 points, Majoy Baron added nine with three blocks, and both Mika Reyes and Jovie Prado chipped in eight apiece to support the victory.

Kim Fajardo directed traffic with 25 excellent sets, while Kath Arado anchored the floor with 23 receptions and 13 digs, ending Creamline’s seven-Finals streak.

The Cool Smashers, still without Tots Carlos, Bea De Leon, and Bernadeth Pons, missed the finale for the first time since 2022, with Galanza firing 20 points, Valdez delivering 18 plus a triple-double, and Gumabao and Jeanette Panaga combining for 27.

Creamline will try to keep its podium streak alive, gunning for an 18th straight medal when it faces Cignal in the bronze match, before PLDT battles Chery Tiggo for the PVL on Tour crown, both on Sunday, August 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.