Despite putting up big numbers in the series opener, Kath Arado is still not satisfied with how she performed in PLDT’s Game One loss to Petro Gazz in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
Arado delivered 27 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions in the 25-22, 19-25, 21-25, 18-25 loss. And she admitted that she deferred to her wing spikers at times in the defeat last Saturday.
That is why the University of the East standout came entered Game Two with one thing in mind – receive and dig every ball that comes in her way, even if meant diving over the LED boards on the sidelines.
“Kasi nung Game One, talagang after nung game… Talagang kahit alam kong pangit yung performance namin as a team, alam ko rin na may pagkukulang din ako,” said Arado, a former PVL Best Libero.
“Tinignan ko talaga yung video, yung highlights, sa viewing namin. Inano ko talaga siya na bakit parang onti lang yung bola ko? Hindi lang pala dahil iniiwas nila sa akin kundi parang hinahayaan ko na mag-receive or dumipensa yung mga kasama ko.”
Arado’s change in mindset definitely helped the High Speed Hitters. They managed to equalize the series by way of a 14-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-15 victory at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.
The Philippine women’s national volleyball team star finished with 26 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions. Her team now moves on the cusp of their first finals appearance since joining the PVL.
“So yung part na yun na yung pagkukulang ko as a defense specialist, yun yung nasa isip ko hanggang papunta dito sa venue na hanggat kaya kong kunin, kukunin ko para ma-lessen yung pressure ng mga kasama ko kasi lalo na sa mga open spikers, mga wings namin sobrang hirap talaga ng problema nila kasi papalo sila, kumpleto e,” said Arado, who suffered from cramps during the latter part of the match.
“Papalo, depensa, receive tapos magba-block, so yung pressure na bitbit nila, ano ba naman yung bawasan ko pa para kahit papaano, onti na lang yung tatrabahuhin nila.”
Arado also said that the team is eager to prove in this conference that they are no longer pushovers in the league.
“Actually sobrang saya talaga namin. Saka, yun nga laging sinasabi nila coach na hindi pa tapos yung laban so lagi talagang nakatatak sa isip namin na hindi na kami yung team na nila-lang. Lumalaban talaga kami at kaya naming tapusin na panalo kami.”
