PLDT High Speed Hitters Paid Tribute to Ever-Reliable Moms After PVL Podium Return

     For the PLDT High Speed Hitters, the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference was a turning point, a hard-earned bronze that marked their first trip to the podium in this edition. But if you asked the players about the grit required to get there, while the never-ending drills and relentless gym hours were definitely important, they mostly talked about the unwavering support they received from home. 

     Behind the High Speed Hitters were the ever-reliable figures who taught them discipline before they ever touched a volleyball, their moms. That Mother’s Day, the team stripped away their jersey numbers to share the personal stories of the women who fueled their historic run. 

PLDT High Speed Hitters Paid Tribute to Ever-Reliable Moms After PVL Podium Return

     For Filipino-Canadian outside hitter Savi Davison, the pressure of professional sports was balanced by a mother who refused to measure her daughter’s worth in wins.

She never put pressure on me to achieve accolades," the PVL On Tour Most Valuable Player said. She added that her mother’s mantra was simpler: Your best will always be enough. From the logistics of early-morning practices to the emotional weight of cross-country flights, her mom was the silent engine that kept her going, and it paid off as Davison became one of the team’s top anchors in the PVL.

     So, for Davison, that Mother’s Day weekend was all about mirroring that consistency. “My mom already knows how much she means to me – she’s not only my mother, but also my best friend,” she said. “If there’s anything more to say, it’s that I’m incredibly proud to be so much like her. Even with her strong and independent nature, she remains wistful, curious, and always beautiful.”

     Professional volleyball could also be a lifestyle of distance. For opposite hitter Jessey de Leon, Mother’s Day 2026 was a digital one. Being outside the Philippines at the time, she relied on a screen to stay present.

I’ll be video calling her," de Leon explained. Her mother’s support had always been the quiet kind—the type that provided space for growth while keeping a player grounded. Whether it was a quick check-in via video call or a shared digital meal, the connection remained uninterrupted, turning physical absence into a meaningful moment through the fast, reliable internet of PLDT Home. I’m so grateful for her and for everything she’s sacrificed for our family. She’s shown me what it really means to care for her children,” de Leon said, before adding a heartfelt message, “I love you always!”

     Team skipper Kath Arado also knew that feeling of distance all too well. While she was in Manila, her heart remained in Iligan City in Northern Mindanao. The recent conference’s Best Libero had a drive rooted in a specific kind of maternal sacrifice: her mother once flew to another country to work as a caregiver, ensuring their family had what they needed.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without her," Arado said. “I thank her for all the sacrifices, love, and support she’s given me and to my younger siblings.”

     That year, the distance was bridged with a video call and a coordinated surprise cake and flowers delivered to Iligan as a small way to honor a woman who gave up so much. Distance was no hurdle for Arado and her family to celebrate together, proving that even across seas, she remained just as reliable as her idol her mom.

     Lastly, for outside hitter Alleiah Malaluan, the off-season was a time for physical recovery as well as emotional regrouping. Her mother had been her "number one supporter" since her youth, providing the moral compass that Malaluan credited for her success. That weekend, a delivery of flowers to Batangas served as a symbol of her gratitude.

Mommy, thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Malaluan said in a special message for her mother. “Know that I am really grateful to call you my mom. I love you!”

Bridging Real, Reliable Connections

     While the PVL bronze medal became the trophy on the shelf, the real victory for the High Speed Hitters was the support system that never wavered. Whether they celebrated in person or through high-definition video calls, the reliable connection of PLDT Home Fiber ensured that, for these athletes, the most important connections at home never timed out.

     Fans were encouraged to catch every moment of the PLDT High Speed Hitters' journey by following the team on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to stay connected to the action.