The PLDT High Speed Hitters during the 2025 PVL Invitational. PVL Media Bureau/file
MANILA — PLDT is resetting its focus in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, veering away from its title-winning runs in the 2025 On Tour and 2025 Invitational.
Coach Rald Ricafort acknowledged that this upcoming tilt is a "new one," underscoring that national team members are back to their home clubs and imports will be improving teams further.
"'Yun siguro 'yung una—hindi namin goal yung three-peat or anything, kasi bagong conference, bagong competition. Alam namin na mahirap 'yung magiging conference, given na 'yung Alas [nakabalik na] tsaka 'yung imports, maayos talaga lahat," Ricafort said during the press launch of the league on Thursday in Pasig City.
READ: PVL: PLDT outlasts Kobe Shinwa to claim Invitational title
"So, day by day ulit kami. Kung saan ulit kami aabutin ng hard work namin," he added.
Ricafort insisted that there are no targets on their backs, asserting that they will be back from scratch in the import-laced tourney.
READ: Coach urges PLDT to stay hungry for volleyball glory after back-to-back PVL titles
"Hindi namin masyadong iniisip eh. Ganun parin kami--na kami 'yung naghahabol, kasi tapos naman na 'yung naging dalawang tournaments. So ganun pa rin kami, back to start pa rin kami," said Ricafort.
READ: PLDT overcomes Chery Tiggo in final, snags PVL on Tour title
As the new tournament kicks off next week, the PLDT mentor said he is physically conditioning his players back to their forms.
"Nagpahinga kasi very limited 'yung naging rest namin from Invitationals. So, nag-off kami ng 2 weeks, kakabalik-balik lang namin. Parang third week palang namin this week so naghahabol pa tsaka hinahabol 'yung condition ng players," said Ricafort.
Joining their arsenal is Russian spiker Anastasiia Bavykina, expected to join the wing bannered by Fil-Canadian star Savi Davison.