Yesterday, the PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters kept their perfect record unblemished after surviving the onslaught of the Meralco Power Spikers in a five-set thriller, 22-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-16, 18-16, at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
Contrary to the typical PLDT routine, head coach Roger Gorayeb used a different approach as he initially opted not to use star spiker Alyssa Valdez this time around. However, Gorayeb indicated that Valdez wanted to get into the action and attempt to win the game even though it would cost her a chance to get some much-needed rest given her very hectic schedule.
“Nakita mo ba akong tumayo? Tinanong ko yung mga bata nung fourth set kung gusto ba nila manalo. Gusto ko rin magpahinga kasi ang daming may sakit sa team,” Gorayeb said. “Actually hindi naman namin kailangan manalo ngayon. Si Alyssa hindi ko nga ginamit nung first set. Pero sabi niya kasi sa akin na ipanalo na namin yung game.”
Taking a deeper look at PLDT’s situation, it has been a very busy ride for the team. Since Sunday, the team is scheduled to play every other day and all of those matches are crucial for the team’s championship aspirations. Furthermore, PLDT is doing its best to give national team mainstays Valdez, Jaja Santiago and Gretchel Soltones to get all the rest that they can get so that they could be fresh come the latter rounds of the postseason.
“Tinanong ko kasi sila sa dugout. Sabi ko sa kanila kung sasatisfy ba nila ego nila or magrest tayo? Wala na kasing pahinga ang mga bata,” Gorayeb added. “Parang sina Alyssa at Jaja na halos three times a day ang training.”
Now, with the team set to battle the Philippine Army Lady Troopers in the championship, Gorayeb hopes that their ample time to prepare will be enough to push the team through a very gritty series. The team may be undefeated, but Gorayeb reminds his team that they must focus on the task at hand rather than feeling the pressure of maintaining their perfect record.
“We’re not looking at that perspective na hindi pa sila [Army] nanalo sa amin. Kung ganoon ang iisipin namin, edi parang nag champion na kami? Sa amin lang, salamat kung nananalo kami,” Gorayeb ended. “Wala na kaming iniisip na kung anu-ano pa diyan. If we put pressure on ourselves, grabe iyon. Dapat yung paa niyo nakasayad sa lupa at iyong leeg niyo nakadikit sa balikat niyo. Ang ulo niyo, kapag isa diyan umangat, mahirap.”
The opening game of the best-of-three championship series between PLDT and Army will be tomorrow, 4pm, at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
