PLDT's graceful exit became Nxled’s golden ticket.
The High Speed Hitters beat Creamline, 25-17, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and handed the Chameleons the biggest assist in the history of the three-year-old franchise.
READ: EST Cola beats Ho Chi Minh to reach PVL finals, end PLDT reign
With their PVL Invitational title defense already over following finals-bound EST Cola's sweep of Ho Chi Minh earlier in the day, the outgoing champions had nothing left to play for except pride.
That didn't stop the High Speed Hitters from playing the spoiler's role, dragging Creamline down with them to the battle for bronze while opening the door for Nxled’s finals debut.
With the Cool Smashers failing to get the win they needed to stay in the top-two race, the Chameleons were elevated into the championship round.
After a first-set hiccup, PLDT appeared poised to complete the upset as Jaja Santiago-Minowa and Jema Galanza pushed the defending champions to the ropes, taking a 2-1 set lead and even threatening to close out the match in four.
But Savi Davison simply refused to let Creamline escape. Playing the game of her life, the Nxled import unleashed a career-high 37 points, just one shy of the PVL's local single-game scoring record, while adding 24 receptions and 18 digs.
"Nakakapagod. Ganun talaga 'yung magiging takbo kahit unfortunately, 'yung gusto sana naming spot sa finals, hindi namin nakuha. Pero kukunin at kukunin pa rin namin 'tong panalo na 'to at paghahandaan namin sila sa Tuesday," said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
The reigning Invitational MVP delivered four crucial points in the fifth-set tiebreak, which PLDT controlled from start to finish, to put Creamline away and, in the process, seal Nxled's historic berth in the finals.
Davison drew ample support from twin 14-point performances by Kianna Dy and Jovy Prado, while Mika Reyes added 11 points, including five blocks. Kath Arado was likewise everywhere defensively with 29 digs.
Santiago-Minowa finished with a conference-high 25 points topped by nine blocks, while Galanza came through with another triple-double of 20 points, 16 digs and 16 receptions. Alyssa Valdez, meanwhile, was held to just seven points in a difficult outing, though she still contributed 14 receptions.
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