As the wounds from the past begin to heal, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort expressed his satisfaction with the Premier Volleyball League’s efforts to improve officiating, following their controversial loss to Akari in last season’s Reinforced Conference semifinals.
During the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference presser, the league announced steps taken to enhance officiating, which included bringing in Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Referees Commission Chairman Yul Benosa.
In addition to adding an experienced referee to its think tank, the PVL will now include international referees in all of its matches. For the semifinals and finals, the league, with PNVF support, will also invite foreign referees to further elevate officiating standards.
“Before, wala din ‘yung ganung meetings ‘yung about sa referees. Ngayon lang, nagkaroon ng effort so ayun na. Magmo-move on na lang tsaka at least may ganung steps na na gagawin para ‘pag mangyari ulit, hindi na kasing gulo nung nangyari last time,” Ricafort remarked.
The High Speed Hitters experienced a heartbreaking semifinal defeat to the Chargers, ending their quest for a first Finals appearance after a mid-rally challenge from PLDT was deemed unsuccessful.
Now focused on moving forward, Ricafort emphasized the team’s resolve to leave the incident in the past and concentrate on the upcoming All-Filipino Conference, a six-month-long event beginning November 9.
“Well, dun sa mga sessions namin sa sports psych, ano naman siya, ‘di pwedeng maging main focus. Actually, motivation itself, ‘di naman siya pwedeng maging dun lang mag-center. Nandito kami dahil trabaho namin, at tsaka gusto namin ‘yung ginagawa (namin),” shared the PVL champion coach.
“Regardless nung nangyari, kailangan talaga i-move on at tsaka kailangan masanay kami na next time siguro na ma-handle ‘yung ganung situations. Although, ‘yun ‘yung steps mag-move forward na pero definitely, hindi naman kakalimutan ‘yung ganung pangyayari,” he added.
Meanwhile, team captain Kath Arado wants the team to use the incident as motivation as they aim to overcome past setbacks and achieve their first-ever professional championship.
“Ayun nga po, parang dinadagdag nalang din namin siya as motivation namin sa team pero hindi ‘yun, katulad ng sabi ni coach, hindi siya pwedeng maging main (focus) kasi masyado siyang negative eh,” said the seasoned libero.
“Pero, syempre ginagawa namin siyang lesson sa team kasi syempre pag nangyari yun, (posible) mangyari ulit hindi lang samin or sa iba, at least alam na yung pwedeng gawin para hindi masyadong maapektuhan yung game, yung mental ng players.”
