MAKE it two in a row for PLDT.
Still on a high after their maiden title triumph in the On Tour, the High Speed Hitters proved it was no fluke when they reached the Promised Land anew—this time at the expense of Kobe Shinwa University in last Sunday night’s PVL Invitational Conference final.
“Going into this game naman talaga, iyong focus at patience talaga namin iyong mate-test, iyon lang siguro. Sumabay talaga iyong good breaks, lalo na iyong nahabol namin iyong second set,” PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said. “So, iyon na iyong nag third and fourth, anybody’s game na ulit.
“Importante din talaga na na-recover namin iyong first set na litong-lito kami noong simula, dahil sobrang pinaghandaan nga talaga nila (KSU),” he added.
Ricafort’s thoughts came on the heels of his team’s 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18 victory over the Japanese guest team, with all their hard work paying off anew.
Ace spikers Savi Davison, skipper Kath Arado, who was named finals MVP, veteran Kianna Dy, rookie Alleiah Malaluan and the rest of the crew found their footing to bag a second title in the league that also extended their winning streak to 13 matches, beginning from the pre-season meet.
Facing KSU, Ricafort could not help but applaud the tenacity of their foes while also hoping to adapt their perseverance and speed.
“In fairness talaga kay Kobe (Shinwa University) rin, iyong level din talaga nila, compared noong nakalaban namin sila noong eliminations, sobrang pinaghandaan,” Ricafort said. “Iyong level talaga nila iyong gustung-gusto talaga naming hopefully magaya, ganoon katiyaga, ganoon kasipag, ganoon kabilis.”
As they gear up for the next conference, the Reinforced Conference, Ricafort preached about keeping their success by remaining hungry for more.
“Iyon lang moving forward kailangan talaga namn i-face iyong conference na parang ano, na kami iyong nagugutom pa rin,” he said. “Iyon nga iyong binabanggit ko lang sa kanila, habang kung sino iyong nandiyan susulitin talaga namin.”
