PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – As the preliminary round of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference nears its end, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort stressed the need for the High Speed Hitters to get better in responding to high pressure games.
The High Speed Hitters have been playing well for the past seasons, but have struggled towards the end of their campaigns, settling for at least fifth or fourth places.
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As they snagged their sixth win this tourney, claiming the second spot in the process after collecting 18 points, Ricafort emphasized that they "need to overcome complacency."
"Happy naman na from the win last time, nagtutuloy-tuloy. 'Yung lesson lagi sa 'min 'yung mawala 'yung complacency at saka maging mas maging consistent, so happy kami na nag-deliver naman halos lahat, kahit sinong iikot," said Ricafort.
"Siguro 'yung binanggit ko na the usual — na kung paano kami mag-respond sa mga high-pressured games, kasi 'yung iba naming losses ganun 'yung level eh, so sana ma-apply namin siya sa kahit sino 'yung kalaban namin," Ricafort went on.
One tough challenge awaits the High Speed Hitters as they take on PVL powerhouse Creamline next—which has yet to absorb defeat in the all-Pinoy volleyball tourney.
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But the last two times they faced each other — during the 2024 All-Filipino and 2024 Reinforced Conferences — it was PLDT which got the better of the Cool Smashers.
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"Pinaka-motivation na lang siguro namin is maganda 'yung napakita namin with the past seasons, pero wala talaga siyang magiging basis on our next game. Siguro 'yun na lang talaga, 'yung tiwala at tsaka 'yung paniniwala nila na kaya ng team."
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One good sign for the High Speed Hitters are the return of their injured players such as Kianna Dy.
"At the same time, happy lang talaga kami na ayun nga, sina Kianna nakakabalik na, 'yung mga may injury dati nakakabalik na. So hopefully, magamit namin nang buo 'yung line-up na matagal na naming inaantay."