Already a title contender with their all-Filipino core, PLDT High Speed Hitters raised the bar further with the return of Fil-Canadian ace Savi Davison, completing a dominant 25-21, 25-21, 25-19 sweep of ZUS Coffee to reach the PVL On Tour semifinals on Thursday, August 7, night at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Playing just her second match of the tournament, Davison showed no signs of rust. She delivered 18 points and seven digs while anchoring both ends of the floor. Her explosive comeback reinforced PLDT’s already deep arsenal and reignited their title bid heading into the final four.

“We worked so hard to be here and we deserve to be in the Top 4,” said Davison. “I’m glad it’s finally transpiring.”

PLDT’s depth, defense too much for ZUS Coffee

Even without Davison, PLDT topped the preliminaries. But her presence elevated the team’s tempo, composure, and closing power. The High Speed Hitters overwhelmed ZUS Coffee in just 79 minutes, limiting top scorer Chinnie Arroyo to only 10 points after a previous 21-point eruption.

The Thunderbelles, known for winning four of their last five games via five-set thrillers, couldn’t replicate that fight against PLDT’s towering blocks and system-driven transition game.

After weathering ZUS Coffee’s first-set comeback attempt, PLDT closed strong behind a 5-0 run capped by a Davison hammer that broke a 19-all deadlock. In the second frame, Davison again took over late, uncorking five straight points before Jovie Prado iced the set with a clutch kill, capitalizing on ZUS errors.

By the third, PLDT surged ahead 16-6 and never looked back. ZUS mounted a brief fightback, cutting it to 14-17, but a quick timeout and a steady flurry from Mika Reyes and Kim Dy restored order. Davison eventually sealed the win with a booming kill and a putaway off an overpass.

Prado added 10 points, Dy chipped in eight, while Dell Palomata and Majoy Baron scored five apiece. PLDT held narrow advantages in attacks (45-43) and blocks (8-5), but proved more efficient overall — scoring 17 points off ZUS errors while conceding just 12.

Rookie AC Miner led the Thunderbelles with 13 points, but the rest of the team struggled. Arroyo was contained, while veterans Gonzaga, Santiago, and Ceballos combined for just 17 points.

With the win, PLDT earned the second semifinals berth and will face the winner of the Creamline vs Farm Fresh quarterfinal matchup.