PLDT lost its first game of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference back on October 15 against Cignal but has not tasted defeat since then.
After the High Speed Hitters’ 16-25, 25-20, 21-25, 20-25 loss to the HD Spikers, they went on to win their next five games, with their straight sets romp over Galeries being the latest on Thursday.
However, head coach Rald Ricafort would be the first to say that their 5-1 record barely means a thing as they have yet to face the other top teams in the 12-team league.
“Yun nga iniiwasan namin ma-overhype yung standing kasi dami naming games na new teams kalaban. Magkakasubukan talaga doon sa schedule namin sa next game onwards,” said Ricafort after their 29-27, 25-14, 25-18 win over the Highrisers at the Philsports Arena.
Aside from Galeries, the teams PLDT has beaten so far were Akari, Farm Fresh, NXLED, and Gerflor. As of November 7, those five were the lowest-ranked squads. Only the Chargers have a winning record at 3-2 while the Highrisers, Foxies, and Defenders are all winless.
The remaining five games of the High Speed Hitters are against Chery Tiggo, Creamline, Choco Mucho, F2 Logistics, and Petro Gazz in that order. All but the Cargo Movers have a 4-1 record or better.
“Malayo pa yung ilalaro pa dapat para makasabay sa top teams,” said Ricafort.
The first-year PLDT coach lamented how they performed during the extended first set against Galeries, despite still winning, 29-27.
According to him, if they want to be a part of the top tier of volleyball teams in the PVL, such a sluggish display should not happen again.
“Pangit ng first set namin, more of kailangan i-address hindi lang skills-wise, kundi kailangan maprepare sila mentally lalo na’t binanggit nyo na top teams na yung makakalaban,” said Ricafort.
“Feeling ko kailangan talaga kami mag-focus, hindi lang sa physical, kundi sa mental part talaga ng players, para maready sila sa big games, big teams para makakuha kami ng win sa malalakas na teams.”
