Struggling Altas take on Chiefs, seek to end slump

Manila Times - Oct 25, 2026

With four games remaining in the elimination round and drifting on a six-game losing streak, University of Perpetual Help seeks to move higher in the Group B standings and make the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball tournament. The Altas, however, need to win games, starting with its 5 p.m. duel with the Arellano University Chiefs on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Perpetual Help currently sits at fourth place in the five-team Group B with a 2-7 win-loss record, ahead of winless San Sebastian (0-10). The Chiefs are at the number two spot with a 5-4 card. The other two teams in the group are pace-setter Letran (7-2) and third ranked Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-6). The Altas aim to finish the elims at least in third place to get an outright quarterfinals berth. The fourth and fifth placed teams will clash in a one-game playoff for a seat in the quarterfinal round. But more than the thought of advancing to the next round, the Altas need to get their acts together and play as a solid unit. Coach Olsen Racena needs Mark Gojo Cruz, LA Casillo, Ray Allen Maglupay, JM Tulabot, Jim Corpuz, Gelo Gelsano, Ariea Borja and Shawn...

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Savi Davison back in fiery form

Oct 25, 2026

Savi Davison back in fiery form

MANILA, Philippines — Savi Davison is aware that she carries much of the scoring load for the PLDT High Speed Hitters. The Filipino-Canadian gunner finished as the No.1 Best Scorer in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference, where she mounted a total of 185 points and a conference-high of 37 points against Creamline. With an impressive performance in the previous tournament, Davison was struggling for a gunner who usually scores 20 points or more after chipping in low numbers in her first two games in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino. Davison only mounted 10 points in a loss over Nxled, followed by a career-low of five points in a defeat over Akari that left PLDT to suffer back-to-back beatings in its first two games. But Davison had enough with losing and finally led her team to victory against the fortified Capital 1 Solar Spikers. The 5-foot-8 spiker mounted 28 points on 23 attacks, four blocks, and an ace, and added 10 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions in a four-set win against Capital 1. “I think we were... We weren't surprised by the 0-2 start, but I think we had to realize that everybody was getting better and we had to follow the pace,” Davison told the media. “We came from an Invitational where the Alas pros weren't here, and they make a really big difference when they're back on certain teams,” she added, noting the beefed-up roster of the PVL teams. Davison, who also had the help of Kianna Dy, Alleiah Malaluan, and Alas Pilipinas blocker Dell Palomata, also bared that she fully knew the load of responsibility of being a go-to scorer. “I honestly... It's hard. I'm not gonna lie, but I feel like Kath (Arado) also recognizes the position that I'm in. Like we... She's a really big part of our defense, and I feel like I carry the offensive side, but we do have a lot of pressure on us internally and externally.” “And we like to say that pressure is a privilege. Pressure is a privilege, and pressure makes diamonds. But at the same time, you just gotta calm yourself down, and everyone has a bad day, but let's just kind of, you know, mark more good days and bad days, hopefully.” PLDT (1-2) looks to pick up back-to-back wins when it faces Capital 1 (2-2) on Oct. 29, at the Santiago City Arena.