With the heartbreak of the previous All-Filipino Conference still fresh, PLDT vows not to settle for merely qualifying for the quarterfinals of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
The High Speed Hitters secured their place in the eight-team knockout quarters with a dominant 25-18, 25-14, 25-12 victory over ZUS Coffee on Tuesday evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Holding a 5-1 record, tied for second place with Cignal, PLDT is now cautious about peaking too early before the real competition begins.
“Siguro extra motivation ‘yung kinapos kami last conference and lesson learned na rin. So this conference, we have to make sure na mas maging matibay pa kami sa team,” said middle blocker Majoy Baron.
(C) PVL Images
In the All-Filipino, the High Speed Hitters dominated early, cruising to a 7-1 win-loss record, only to fall short at the end of the elimination round. After their strong start, PLDT lost two of their final three matches, dropping to 8-3 and missing the semifinals as Creamline surpassed them due to superior match points for the last Final Four spot.
This conference features a new format where the top eight teams after two rounds advance to the quarterfinals, which, like the semifinals and finals, will be knockout rounds.
For Baron, who scored 13 points in the 83-minute win over the Thunderbelles, there should be no relaxation as the job is far from finished.
“For me, ‘yung consistency and mga endgame ‘yun ‘yung kailangan naming pagtrabahuhan kasi mabigat pa rin ‘yung mga makakalaban namin sa next games so kailangan mas pulido pa ‘yung galaw namin,” she said.
PLDT will still face Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho before the quarterfinals.
