Savi Davison (right) hammers a kill for PLDT against the Nxled defense. — PVL IMAGES
PLDT was left wounded after a controversial exit in the PVL Reinforced Conference.
But the High Speed Hitters will not wallow on what happened; they would rather rise from the ashes of that disappointing finish and continue striving to be better in this All-Filipino Conference.
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“In our sessions with a sports psychologist [we learned that] it can’t be the main focus [for the rest of our lives],” coach Rald Ricafort said in Filipino, referring to a controversial defeat to Akari that capped the team’s previous season.
“[That game] can’t be the sole motivation itself, our campaigns can’t just have that at the center.”
“We are here because this is our job and we like what we are doing so regardless of what happened, we need to move on and get used to it so in case it happens again, we can handle those situations better,” he added.
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Victory over Nxled
The High-Speed Hitters kicked off their campaign with a 25-15, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22 victory over Nxled at PhilSports Arena.
PLDT was booted out of the import-laced conference following a contentious net fault in its five-set loss to Akari in the semifinals.
With the High Speed Hitters at match point, the PLDT coaching staff called for a net fault video challenge on the Chargers’ Ezra Madrigal, which was deemed unsuccessful after a lengthy discussion by tournament officials, who gave the point to the Chargers.
Akari knotted the game at 14 and went on to secure the win.
The league cited a FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) rule on net touches, saying that Madrigal’s error after attempting a block was no longer a fault since Akari import Oly Okaro had already dug the ball in the back row. PLDT filed a protest but the league decided to maintain its decision further fueling social media outrage.
“That’s the steps that we are taking to move forward but definitely we won’t forget about that kind of event,” Ricafort said. “The league is making an effort now. We’ll just move on from that and at least there are steps to be done so if it happens again, it won’t be as chaotic as the last time.”
“[What happened before is] an added motivation for us … but like what coach said, it can’t be [our] main focus because it’s too negative,” captain Kath Arado echoed in Filipino. “It’s a lesson for the team because when it happens again, not only to us but to the other teams as well, at least we now know what we can do so it won’t affect our game and the mental [state] of the players.”
The High Speed Hitters have yet to employ the services of Kim Kianna Dy, who is still recovering from a knee injury from the Invitational Conference last year. They will also continue to miss veteran Rhea Dimaculangan, the newlywed playmaker who decided to focus first on her family.
On the positive note, Filipino-American Savi Davison, one of Ricafort’s main scoring weapons, returned after an injury spell and led the team with 19 points against the Chameleons.
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“I’m just excited to contribute the way I’m used to,” said Davison. “We all kind of have a chip on our shoulder to come back. But regardless of what happened last conference, I think we’re just working hard to enter that podium spot, and that’s our main goal moving forward.”