Savi Davison, Mika Reyes surge as PLDT smacks young Aussies in AVC debut

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PLDT leaders Savi Davison and Mika Reyes combine for 25 points as the High Speed Hitters take young Queensland-Australia to school in their 2025 AVC Women's Champions League debut on home soil

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine teams went undefeated in the first day of the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Champions League as PLDT cruised to the quadruple-header’s most lopsided decision, 25-19, 25-12, 25-12, against Queensland-Australia on Sunday, April 20.

Immediately following Creamline’s sweep of Al Naser-Jordan in Pool A at the PhilSports Arena, the High Speed Hitters followed suit with their own blanking of the Pirates as they rose to a quick Pool D lead off a game-high 14-point effort from Fil-Canadian star spiker Savi Davison, an import under AVC rules.

Quiet for the majority of the recently concluded 2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference, veteran middle blocker Mika Reyes enjoyed a resurgent outing, starting and finishing strong with 11 points on 9 attacks and a block and an ace apiece.

Former Petro Gazz import Wilma Salas excelled in a familiar shade of red, adding 10 points on an 8-1-1 split as PLDT seized full momentum with a 25-12 second-set finish and a 9-1 start to the third frame that Queensland never came close to threatening.

Making her first start in 641 days that included a 559-day injury layoff, star spiker Kianna Dy also enjoyed a small, personal victory with 4 points off 3 attacks and an ace — each score loudly celebrated by her teammates and fans as she continues recovery from a major patella injury.

“I think I needed to be more than just an attacker in this game. I think I needed to be filling the role of easing the team because it is an international tournament, Davison said.

“It can kind of come by surprise, the way it looks, the way it feels, so I just wanted to make sure the team was well prepared, ready to win, and I feel like I did that, so as long as our goal is to compete in that field, I feel pretty good about our play today.”

Alisha Stevens and Lilyana Stanojevic scored 8 points each and combined for 5 of the team’s 7 blocks in the sorry loss, as PLDT never eased up despite clearly having momentum midway through the match.

“I think just expect the unexpected, just because they’re different doesn’t mean it’s a different sport. We just kind of go back to the basics — standard passing, serving — just doing it to the best of your abilities and have a good outcome,” Davison continued.

Newly-crowned PVL All-Filipino champion Petro Gazz makes its debut as the third and final Philippine team on Monday, April 21, 4 pm, against Kaohsiung Taipower-Taiwan, still at the PhilSports Arena, while Creamline quickly returns with little rest at 7 pm, this time against Zhetysu-Kazakhstan. – Rappler.com