The PLDT High Speed Hitters look to make a splash in the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference following the controversial end to their 2024 Reinforced Conference campaign.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters will make their return to the PVL taraflex three months after what could have been a franchise-best Reinforced Conference campaign ended in controversial fashion.
While the scar from that deep wound remains, the team is focused on moving forward and coming back stronger for the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference starting this November 9.
“Sa mga sessions namin sa sports psych ano lang siya eh…Hindi siya pwede maging main focus. Actually, motivation itself, hindi naman siya pwedeng maging doon mag-center. Nandito kami dahil trabaho namin, tsaka gusto namin ‘yung ginagawa namin. So regardless nung nangyari, kailangan talaga i-move on,” head coach Rald Ricafort said during the recent All-Filipino press conference.
Ricafort added that the team is using this as a lesson heading into the All-Filipino wars.
“Kailangan masanay kami na next time siguro na mas ma-handle yung mga ganon situations. Although, ‘yun yung steps namin, na mag-move forward na. Pero definitely, di naman makakalimutan ‘yung ganon pangyayari. So tignan natin next conference.”
You may recall that PLDT’s mid-rally challenge against the Akari Chargers was overturned during the Reinforced Conference semifinals last August 31. At match point, 14-13, the High Speed Hitters opted for a net touch challenge after Akari middle blocker Ezra Madrigal’s elbow grazed the net upon landing from a block.
PVL officials ruled that Madrigal’s action was not a net fault, as it was already a “second motion” according to the FIVB Casebook. No real-time explanations were given, and it wasn’t until the post-game press conference that the Casebook was revealed to be the basis behind the call.
Like Ricafort, PLDT captain Kath Arado stressed that her squad cannot afford to dwell on the controversy anymore given its effects on their morale and mental health.
“Parang dinadagdag na lang din namin siya as motivation, pero katulad ng sabi ni coach hindi siya pwede maging main kasi masyado siyang negative eh…Pero syempre ginagawa namin siyang lesson sa team. Kasi siyempre, pag mangyari ulit — hindi lang sa amin or sa iba — at least alam na ‘yung pwedeng gawin para hindi masyadong ma-affect ‘yung game, ‘yung mental health ng mga players,” she reflected.
Fresh start
In light of the said controversy, the PVL announced several changes to its officiating ahead of the All-Filipino Conference. PNVF Referee’s Chairman Yul Benosa will now be the PVL’s referee delegate, while international neutral referees will oversee the conference semifinal and finals matches.
First referees will also be given microphones to explain their ruling to avoid a repeat of the confusion and controversy that doomed the High Speed Hitters last August.
Asked for comment, Ricafort stressed that PLDT’s complaints stemmed from how the situation was handled afterward.
“Never naman kami nag-question ng rules, hindi question ‘yung kung alam o hindi. Ang question namin is kung paano na-handle ‘yung situation. Dun naman umiikot lahat, from the protest after the game. Kung ano ‘yung nangyari during and after that. Syempre hindi naman din aabot ng ilang years ‘yung players saka kami [coaches] kung hindi namin alam ‘yung rules,” the champion coach emphasized.
Still, Ricafort acknowledged the PVL’s effort to implement necessary changes, “Before wala rin mga ganung meetings eh. ‘Yung about sa referees, ngayon lang nagkaroon ng effort. So nangyari na, mag-move on na lang. Tsaka at least may ganong steps na gagawin. Para pag nangyari ulit, hindi na kasing gulo nung nangyari last time.”
The High Speed Hitters will enter the All-Filipino Conference looking to improve on their fourth-place finish in the Reinforced Conference. On one hand, setter Rhea Dimaculangan bade farewell in the offseason, while Kim Fajardo and Kianna Dy are recovering from their knee injuries.
On the other hand, the team remains mostly intact with Arado, Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Erika Santos, Fiola Ceballos, and sparkplug Kiesha Bedonia. Middle blocker Dell Palomata will return from her Alas Pilipinas commitments, while Savi Davison has recovered from a left knee surgery that sidelined her in the Reinforced Conference.
“Regardless kung sino man maging lineup namin, ginagawan talaga ng paraan every conference. So ‘yung improvement, dun kami naka-focus palagi. So kung nag-improve kami, umangat ‘yung standing kahit papaano, okay kami dun sa direction. So this time ganun ulit, tatrabahuhin na lang ulit. Kung ano man ‘yung abutin namin, at least alam namin na tinrabaho talaga nang maayos at malinis,” said Ricafort.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.