PLDT is on an impressive four-game winning streak, and for head coach Rald Ricafort, the team needs all the wins it can secure before heading into their final stretch.
The High Speed Hitters, following their straight-sets win over Akari, have improved to a league-leading 6-1 record, tying with Creamline atop the 12-team field of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday.
PLDT will enjoy a six-day rest before facing the winless Strong Group Athletics as they aim for a fifth straight victory.
Then comes the tough stretch, as the High Speed Hitters will cap the preliminary round against Chery Tiggo, Cignal, and Creamline, in that order.
“Yung panalo kailangan namin makuha kasi sa dulong part, sa last three games nandoon yung mabibigat na kalaban so thankful lang kami makakabwelo kami going into those games na mahihirap,” said Ricafort after their win against the Chargers.
The Cool Smashers hold a similar record to PLDT, Chery Tiggo is at 5-2 for joint-fourth, and Cignal is at 4-2 in solo sixth.
Only the top four teams will advance to the round-robin semifinals.
In those games, Ricafort wants his wards to showcase the composure and fight they showed in their 25-20, 25-12, 23-25, 11-25, 15-13 five-set conquest of the then-undefeated Choco Mucho last March 19.
“Siguro kung paano namin hinandle yung pressure gaya nung Choco Mucho na game na mas maging consistent pa kasi sa mga games na malalakas yung kalaban, nandoon na lang yung laro wala na gaano sa skills,” said the second-year PLDT coach.
But before focusing on that brutal stretch, Ricafort is not taking the Athletics lightly despite their record.
He also seeks to utilize his bench players against SGA for them to remain ready, especially in their final three games of the eliminations, just like how Kiesha Bedonia went to work against the Flying Titans.
“Siguro yung involvement ng ibang members kailangan maactivate sa SGA na game kasi mataas yung premium namin sa pagrest sa players. Hindi naman para maging complacent pero kailangan maging active lahat para magamit din sa game.”
