PVL: Bronze within PLDT’s reach after thrilling Game 1 win vs Farm Fresh

PLDT turned back gritty Farm Fresh to complete an epic 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11 victory in Game 1 of the 2026 PVL Open Conference battle for third on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The High Speed Hitters moved closer to a podium finish — the redemption the team is seeking after missing out on the finals following a lackluster single-round semifinals run.

At the core of that drive was Savi Davison, who came alive late in Set 5 to finish with a game-high 33 points, while Kim Kianna Dy churned out 16 markers built on 12 attacks, three blocks, and one ace as they repelled the Foxies.

"I think we've had a pretty tough journey leading up to the playoffs so we really came into this game really wanting it, really wanting to redeem ourselves," Davison said. 

"It's about finishing off this season the right way."

PLDT came in roaring in Sets 2 and 3 after the dropping the opening frame, but the High Speed Hitters crumbled late in Set 4 that allowed Farm Fresh to force a deciding Set 5. 

A Royse Tubino attack error gave PLDT a 21-16 lead in the fourth frame, but the Foxies staged a mighty fightback with the ever-explosive Trisha Tubu tying it at 22-all. Majoy Baron clinched two match points for PLDT, 26-25, with a block and quick kill. 

Farm Fresh, however, turned to the veteran pair of Royse Tubino and Ces Molina, who fueled a 3-0 closing run that dragged PLDT to a fifth set. 

Farm Fresh built on that momentum come Set 5 with Molina and Tubino joining forces to create a crucial 8-5 advantage before Mylene Paat made her presence felt off the bench by unloading back-to-back opposite kills that gave the Foxies a slim 10-9 cushion. 

Davison, though, caught fire by scoring four points as part of a 6-1 closing blast. 

The 27-year-old Filipina-Canadian outside spiker denied Tubu twice and buried a powerful kill from the left wing that enabled PLDT to clinch the match point at 14-10. 

Jovy Prado committed a service error, but Davison made sure to finish it off on the next play after evading the hands of Tubu and Riri Meneses with another bullet from the left side. 

Tubu sizzled for 30 points in the losing effort while Molina chipped in 15 markers. 

—JMB, GMA News