SAVI Davison has stood her ground firm and strong in her debut stint with PLDT in last year's season-ending Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The High Speed Hitters may have fallen a spot short of the Final Four, but the 5-foot-9 Fil-Canadian hotshot flexed more than just her scoring prowess upon emerging as a bona fide two-way talent.
Davison dished out 202 points on 173 attacks, 22 blocks, and seven aces in the elimination round to lead the league in scoring (5.18 average per set). She also finished third in blocking (0.55 avg per set), seventh in spiking (32.28% success rate), and seventh in receiving (120 rec, 34.32% success rate).
READ: How Kalei Mau, ex-Petro Gazz import led Brooke Van Sickle to PVL
With four new additions to boost their 2024 PVL campaign, Davison shared her thoughts on all things PLDT, the Philippine volleyball landscape, and facing another Fil-foreign ace this conference in Petro Gazz' Brooke Van Sickle.
"I’m feeling excited. The new girls, Majoy (Baron), KKD, Kim (Fajardo), bring a good vibe to practice. With that said, there’s a new perspective on how we play too. I think it’s gotten more competitive in the gym so I’m super optimistic for this coming season," Davison told SPIN.ph.
"I think we’re going to become a family. I think the newest additions complement us very well. They work brave, they’re hardworking, and they bring this kind of new vibe to the team which I think is gonna fuel our growth this coming conference," she added.
And among her newest teammates, one who has caught Davison's eye the most thus far is the club's veteran champion playmaker in Fajardo.
"I really like ate Kim (Fajardo). She’s super fun. She knows what she’s doing and she’s a very mature athlete. She brings a lot of experience to the team, a lot of leadership, and I’m glad that she picked PLDT," said Davison.
Savi versus Brooke, soon
For the upcoming season-opening All-Filipino wars, Davison will no longer be the league's lone Fil-foreign ace as Fil-American standout Van Sickle, who has made quite the first impression in the 2024 PNVF Champions League, enters the fray in under two weeks' time.
And Davison made it a point to reach out and welcome Van Sickle to the Philippine volleyball scene.
"I actually already reached out to her (Brooke Van Sickle), just kind of welcoming her to the Philippines. I know the change can be a little bit difficult but I see she’s coming back well, adjusting really well," Davison said.
"I’m really excited to play her too. You come from the (US) NCAA and you kind of bring this attitude to the Philippines. You kind of give what you learned over there, they kind of give you what you can learn over here, and it’s a good exchange. I’m glad that she’s adjusting really well and I can’t wait to play her too," she added.
Promising potential of PH volleyball
Size may not be the strongest suit of most Filipino athletes in general, but Davison has been nothing short of impressed with how smaller players 'know how to play big' — one that bodes well for the future of the sport in the country.
"I think Philippine volleyball has a lot to bring. It’s definitely a different kind of volleyball than the (United) States. I think they adjusted really well to playing bigger teams, bigger blockers, and stuff like that. The smaller outside hitters, the smaller setters, they know how to play big. It’s a different type of play, right? It’s one that definitely needs adjusting if you come from elsewhere.
Davison added: "But I think with Coach Rald (Ricafort) and the rest of the management team, I’ve not only learned from the first conference but I’m learning way more the second time around which is fun."
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