After unleashing a monster performance against Chery Tiggo in the quarterfinals, PLDT reinforcement Lena Samoilenko is quickly shifting her focus to the semifinals of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Awaiting Samoilenko and the High Speed Hitters in the Final Four is the top-ranked Akari, who have remained unbeaten through nine consecutive outings.
And after surviving Chery Tiggo’s Khat Bell, she now shifts her focus to Akari’s Oly Okaro.
“We won now, we’re happy but we have another game. Next day we need to work. We want to win medals [here],” said Samoilenko after her thrilling duel against Khat Bell and the Crossovers.
Samoilenko carried the scoring load as PLDT survived a 1-2 disadvantage to push past Chery Tiggo in a five-set marathon, 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9, advancing to the knockout semifinals set for Thursday.
(C) PVL Images
The Russian spiker delivered an outstanding performance with 37 points, including 32 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, along with 15 excellent receptions. This came in a two-hour, 19-minute contest at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, where Bell led Chery Tiggo with 40 points.
Samoilenko emphasized that her focus isn’t solely on Bell.
“My focus is not Khat Bell. My focus is my team and the game. Our game. We showed good volleyball and we won; it doesn’t matter if it’s Khat Bell or another import. That’s all,” said Samoilenko.
With Bell and the Crossovers now out of the way, Samoilenko and PLDT will regroup as they prepare to face the unbeaten Chargers in the semifinals.
High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort believes that starting strong will be crucial. He notes that records become irrelevant in the playoffs, emphasizing the need to set the tone early.
“Siguro by this time, di na nagma-matter yung record, going into that game, parang, ‘yun nga, sabi nga natin pagandahan nalang talaga ng gising. Pag nag-click, magki-click, makukuha mo talaga,” said Ricafort, who previously guided Petro Gazz to the title in the last Reinforced Conference.
“At saka, at the same time, siguro di naman sa amin mas may pressure. Kasi yung record naman namin di naman perfect eh. So nandun parin kami sa nagtatrabaho pa rin kami and ita-try talaga namin i-challenge kung ano man yung ibigay sa amin.”
