Savi Davison understands what it will take for the PLDT High Speed Hitters to finally overcome Choco Mucho as they head towards Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.
PLDT seemingly had the Game 1 victory within reach, but Choco Mucho had other plans.
The High Speed Hitters squandered a two-set lead and fell to the Flying Titans in a heartbreaking five-setter, 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.
After the match, Savi Davison admitted the loss was tough to swallow, but it also exposed areas PLDT needs to improve on moving forward if the team is to live up to its full potential.
"I think the aura in the dugout was more focused on the mental side of the game," Davison shared to reporters. "We were up two sets, so that was kinda hard to swallow in terms of the opportunity we had to win.”
“I think going towards the next game, we have to focus on closing out and pushing the score and not making silly errors on our side of the net,” she added.
The Fil-Canadian outside hitter carried much of the scoring load, finishing with 25 points off of 81 attempts.
However, her nearest teammate in terms of spiking, Fiola Ceballos, trailed significantly with just nine kills for 11 points. Erika Santos had 14 markers in the match but most came as blocks and service aces.
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This conference, PLDT has yet to find an answer for the Sisi Rondina-led Choco Mucho, going 0-2 in head-to-head matches. It's another hurdle PLDT needs to clear, similar to what the High Speed Hitters did in taking down the Creamline Cool Smashers in the preliminary round.
While Davison acknowledged that while she looks inward at her own performance, she knows that the Rald Ricafort-led squad will need more production from the other spikers on the team.
"You know what, the first thing I think about is, how can I be better? I had a couple of errors this game, especially in the fourth set or third set, I believe. I kinda struggled a little bit," she admitted.
"I did get an extra, I think, 10 points against Creamline, so that’s maybe the difference. But I think it’s the same story every time—we just need a little bit of help."
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Adding to PLDT’s challenges is the overwhelming presence of Choco Mucho’s passionate fan base, which turned the PhilSports Arena into a deafening sea of purple.
"I think going into the game, we knew it was going to be loud. But when they had the upper hand, let’s say give or take a couple of points here and there, it was hard to catch up," said Davison.
"It was only two or three points, but it felt like 10 because of the crowd. It’s hard to stay calm and collected when it’s only a two, three-point game but feels like it could be a 10, 12-point game,” she added.
With Game 2 set on Thursday, March 20, Davison and the High Speed Hitters will look to give it their all and force a winner-take-all Game 3.