It’s time.
After seemingly elusive chances at the podium in the past conferences, the PLDT High Speed Hitters are finally closing in on their first-ever Premiere Volleyball League (PVL) championship as they take on the Chery Tiggo Crossovers this Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Manuel V. Pangilinan-backed team definitely revved their momentum all the way up to a fever pitch. Finishing the short but sweet PVL off-season conference undefeated, the High Speed Hitters took out the Creamline Cool Smashers with a heart-thumping 5-set victory in the semifinals do-or-die.
For many, the team’s journey isn’t just about notching wins – it’s a major statement that their off-season blueprint and roster moves have paid off big time, successfully showcasing a championship-level squad that’s ready for anything.
PLDT’s flawless performance is a testament to the masterful off-season plan laid out by head coach Rald Ricafort. It’s a genius mix of returning superstars and fresh blood, perfectly blended to create a force to be reckoned with.
Fans are currently enjoying the full-throttle return of fan favorite opposite spiker Kim Kianna Dy, who's back in top form following a knee injury that sidelined her for 559 days; and the formidable presence of La Salle alumnae Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, and Majoy Baron, multi-awarded and highly touted as individual athletes collaborating once more in the pros. Adding to the fire are this season’s standouts Kiesha Bedonia and Jovy Prado, another player now fully recovered from an earlier ACL injury. Completing the team’s edge in offense and net defense, of course, is the ever-reliable libero captain Kath Arado manning the floor.
“Amid the injuries and the departures, our goal as a team was to be patient. We had to utilize the players that we have, choosing to develop the younger players and give chances to other role players as well,” said Ricafort. “I just feel that this time, we are all healthy and complete. Their conditioning was a big factor because of our back-to-back game schedules while on tour.”
“The maturity of the players also helped execute the direction and the system that we wanted to run,” he added.
This winning formula is fueled by the perfect balance of a dynamic youth movement and the steady wisdom of the team's veteran leaders, according to Ricafort’s observations. The team is currently the best blocking squad with Baron plus teammates Reyes, Bedonia, and Dy in the top 10. Arado is presently poised to bag another plum as she leads both the best receiver and best digger stats. This season’s revelation in Bedonia is the league’s second best server, also stepping up to deliver clutch performances as an attacker.
“The young guns are also helpful, especially during training, in raising the level of competition within the team,” said Ricafort. “For the vets, even from the past seasons, they’re always there to support the team. They’ve bought into the system that we have, so it’s been smooth-sailing until now. These are competitive players that are motivated intrinsically. That’s why they’re so easy to work with – day in and day out.”
In the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, PLDT lost to the Akari Chargers in a fierce semifinal match and then to the Cignal HD Spikers in the battle for bronze. The ladies landed fifth in the succeeding PVL All-Filipino Conference despite an impressive 8-3 win-loss record in the preliminary round.
Yet, through these past disappointing conferences, Ricafort said the team worked on their unique synergy on and off the court to not only elevate their game but also solidify their “Pusong PLDT” – a powerful combination of heart, grit, and a winning attitude.
Gearing up for their biggest match in years, the High Speed Hitters seem to be more than ready to leave it all on the court and fight for the championship title. The team’s successful campaign is a source of pride for leading internet and digital services company PLDT Home, reinforcing its commitment to providing the ultimate online experience for Filipino sports and entertainment fans.
“Every conference, we always try to compete and do our best regardless of the lineup that we have,” Ricafort said. “We always aim to win because that’s what we’re here for.”
Support the PLDT High Speed Hitters in their first-ever finals appearance at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, August 17, 6:30 p.m. Follow the team’s championship journey by checking out their official social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
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