By: Ernest Tuazon
PLDT team captain Kath Arado credited the team’s chemistry for the High Speed Hitters’ impressive start in Pool A, despite the absence of star hitter Savi Davison in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.
The High Speed Hitters stunned Creamline before dispatching Galeries Tower, thanks to the leadership of long-time players Mika Reyes, Fiola Ceballos, and Arado.
Davison, the team’s leading scorer in the season-opening All-Filipino Conference, has been listed as a reserve and missed the team’s first two matches due to a knee injury.
“Given na matagal na kami magkasama nila ate Fiola [Ceballos], yung mga iba, tapos late lang naman sila Savi [Davison], hindi siya masyado malaking adjustment kasi magkakasama kami and iisang sistema lang naman inaadapt namin which is yung kila Coach Rald,” Arado said after PLDT’s 25-19, 25-16, 25-17 dominant win over the Highrisersto improve to a 2-0 slate in the Reinforced Conference.
(C) PVL Images
PLDT’s strong team chemistry was on full display in their victory over the Highrisers as head coach Rald Ricafort utilized his second-stringers to rest his core players.
All 14 active PLDT players were used by Ricafort in the match against the Highrisers.
“Talagang napaikot yung players, crucial din kasi yung pahinga namin. Lagi naman kami pinapaalahanan ng mga coaches na after training pahinga, kung kaya after training, diretso na pahinga agad sa bahay,” the 26-year old libero out of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, who tallied 16 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions against Galeries, added.
Arado also praised the High Speed Hitters’ coaching staff, noting that the squad is now tied with Chery Tiggo as the only unbeaten teams in Pool A.
“Hindi kami pinabayaan ng coaches talaga, lahat naman since day one, talagang trinaining yung bawat isa,” said the 5-foot-5 product of the University of the East.
