Kath Arado and the entire PLDT squad faced an emotional challenge in the bronze medal match after their heart-wrenching semifinals loss.
The High Speed Hitters fell to Akari in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference semifinals, a defeat that was marred by a controversial call at match point. With the score at 14-13, PLDT challenged a net fault call against Ezra Madrigal, who had grazed the net.
However, according to the FIVB rulebook, the challenge was deemed unsuccessful, and Akari was awarded the crucial point, leading to a deuce at 14.
Akari ultimately clinched victory with a hard-fought 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 win, advancing to the gold medal match against Creamline. Despite PLDT’s protests and post-match dispute over the call, their efforts to overturn the decision were unsuccessful.
For Arado and her team, dealing with the fallout from the semifinals and gearing up for the bronze medal match against Cignal was a significant challenge.
“Actually yung mindset talaga namin is huwag na pumunta,” Arado admitted, reflecting on their initial reluctance to compete in the bronze medal match.
“I mean, syempre, sino ba naman matutuwa or… Syempre, hindi lang samin, kundi parang sa lahat ng teams na nagprepare ng maayos, nagprepare ng kahit may iniinda, talagang nilalaban, at saka syempre knowing na talagang pinush kami ng coaches na kung ano yung dapat pa naming iimprove as a team. Di siya madali.”
Despite their emotional and physical exhaustion, the High Speed Hitters chose to compete but struggled to maintain their performance level. They succumbed to the HD Spikers in four sets, 25-20, 19-25, 18-25, 23-25. Russian import Lena Samoilenko stood out with 35 points for PLDT, while Fiola Ceballos was the only other player in double figures with 12.
(C) PVL Images
“Sabi ko nga sa van eh, napagusapan namin, ‘Hindi, parang kaya naman namin, kaya naming ilaban.’ Pero pagtapak namin dito sa arena, naramdaman namin yung emotion na kaya ba namin?” Arado shared.
“Kinekwestyon namin yung sarili namin na kaya ba namin? Kaya pa ba namin? So, siguro yung naging motivation nalang din talaga is yung sacrifices ng bawat isa na kahit may iniinda, nilalaban. So yun nalang yung pinangkakapitan namin kahit mahirap. Kailangan parin namin ilaban para sa isa’t isa.”
Looking ahead, the High Speed Hitters will participate in the All-Filipino Conference, having chosen to skip the Invitationals. However, before focusing on the next conference, PLDT acknowledges the need to recover from their recent disappointment.
“Siguro ‘yung sa next conference, hindi pa namin alam eh kasi kailangan naming i-heal muna kung ano ‘yung nangyari this conference kasi mahirap talaga siya i-take mentally saka emotionally,” said Arado, the team captain.
“Mahirap talaga siya sa athlete na alam naming pinaghirapan naman, wala kaming inagrabyado na tao para makuha sana namin ‘yon. So let’s see kung anong mangyayari sa process namin sa next conference.”
(C) PVL Images
Head coach Rald Ricafort echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for recovery before the next conference. He also anticipated the return of Savi Davison from injury and the rejoining of Alas Pilipinas middle blocker Dell Palomata.
“Other than the mindset na kailangan mag-prepare ulit, talagang kailangan i-heal ‘yun,” Ricafort stated regarding their preparation for the next conference.
“Kasi hanggat ‘di nakaka-recover, katulad nung kanina, hindi siya nagiging normal na galaw e. Meron at meron pa rin.”
