PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort bared that Mika Reyes and Mean Mendrez are set to make their return following the one-week break in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
They missed their debut against Akari on Saturday.
Reyes is in the final stage of her recovery after undergoing a shoulder procedure during the All-Filipino Conference. Meanwhile, Mendrez is currently nursing a minor knee injury.
“Kay Mean tuhod lang recently, ‘di naman big issue. Kay Mika yung recovery pa rin ng shoulder, pero okay naman nakakasabay naman sila ng training,” said Ricafort after the High Speed Hitters’ 25-15, 25-19, 25-22 win over the Chargers.
“Yes, [after the break] lahat naman [makakalaro]. Iniikot lang talaga namin yung minutes. Actually yung kay Mean, hindi lang talaga siya one hundred percent pa. Healthy naman, hindi pa lang one hundred percent,” he continued.
With Mendrez and Reyes out, several High Speed Hitters stepped up and delivered against Akari.
Dell Palomata and Jessey De Leon took charge in the middle, scoring 14 and eight points respectively. Outside hitters Jovie Prado, Michelle Morente, and newcomer Royse Tubino contributed 13, 11, and eight points respectively.
“Very proud tayo kay Dell [Palomata] kasi lalo nung pagpasok namin nung January to ngayon, yung maturity nung laro talagang nagiimprove na,” said Ricafort.
“Nakatulong din yung exposure niya nung SEA Games so happy naman kami. Yun na rin kasi yung ineexpect namin sa kaniya e, so dine-develop na lang talaga para mag-improve pa lalo,” he added.
Ricafort mentioned that they will use their one-week break to prepare for their upcoming matches.
“Yung mindset namin for this game, sabi ko ibuhos na since one game lang kami then break na. So whatever happens today, yun nga paghahandaan namin yung susunod na games lalo na yung schedule namin every other day na,” he said.
“Mabigat so kailangan yung effort ng lahat kaya mag-iikot tayo ng tao hanggat kaya natin para kung palarin tayo na makalagpas sa semis, healthy lahat.”
