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PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Kath Arado and Savannah Davison in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Kath Arado hopes to see the PLDT High Speed Hitters keep the same intensity and passion despite seeing their semifinal hopes go down to the drain even before facing the Creamline Cool Smashers in their final 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference game over the weekend.

After Chery Tiggo’s five-set win over Galeries Tower, PLDT had to say goodbye to its semifinal bid but Arado wanted her team to achieve something it hasn’t done since joining the PVL which was to beat Creamline.

“Coach told us that we won’t reach the top if we won’t get a win against the top teams like Creamline, which is the standard of volleyball [for me],” said Arado in Filipino.

READ: PVL: PLDT scores first ever win over Creamline to end campaign

Determined to finish the first conference in style, Arado overcame her cramp-stricken game with 16 digs as the High Speed Hitters finally ended an eight-game losing streak to the Cool Smashers with an impressive 22-25, 25-14, 25-22, 27-25 triumph on Thursday evening at Philsports Arena.

If PLDT hadn’t lost to the also-ran Cignal last Saturday, the High Speed Hitters could have reached the Final Four and eliminated the Cool Smashers from contention.

PLDT High Speed Hitters’ and Kath Arado in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

But PLDT, which tied Creamline with an 8-3 elimination round finish, was a point behind the latter’s 24 points, falling a win short of joining Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz, and Chery Tiggo in the semis.

“We have improved but other teams also improved so we have to work harder and stay motivated for the next conference. We’re getting there but we still have to improve to meet the team’s goal,” said Arado, whose floor defense backstopped Savi Davison’s 27-point explosion.

READ: PVL: PLDT, led by Savi Davison, show promise for next conference

Arado is still proud of her teammates despite missing the semis for the second straight time in the All-Filipino, where recruit Kianna Dy as well as mainstays Mika Reyes, and Jovy Prado didn’t play due to respective injuries.

“I’m still proud despite falling short because I saw my teammates’ willingness to improve, proving that one bad game won’t stop us from fighting,” said the PLDT team captain. 

The High Speed Hitters coach Rald Ricafort said it was part of their motivation to finish the conference strong and give the franchise its first win against Creamline in their ninth match since entering the pro league in 2021. 

“Our last three games were challenging and in reality, we have to get at least two wins from those matches. The competition is really hard but at least in the end, we got a big win, playing without pressure,” Ricafort said in Filipino.

Now the PLDT will have to brace for an import-laden tournament in the Reinforced Invitational Conference in July.