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PLDT High Speed Hitters in the PVL Reinforced Conference bronze medal match against Cignal HD Spikers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT was left to pick up the pieces after a heartbreaking and controversial end to its campaign in the PVL Reinforced Conference.

Still reeling from the stinging five-set loss to Akari in the semifinal following a crucial unsuccessful net fault challenge, the High Speed Hitters yielded the bronze to sister team Cignal, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23, on Wednesday at Philsports Arena.

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“Talagang mahirap siyang tanggapin mentally. Ganoon ka-drained… Parang ninakawan, ganun yung pakiramdam. So instead of isiksik pa namin yung court na hindi pa sila okay, talagang nagusap na lang. So, blessed kami kahit papano na nagkaroon ng [postponement] pero, yun nga, mental state, mental health, hindi na 100 percent,” PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said.

“So yung pag show up today, yun yung unang goal. Nagawa naman. Na-control yung sa first set. Pero wala, siguro nasagad na kumbaga. So, binanggit ko naman sa kanila goal-wise, I think nakuha naman namin.”

READ: PVL: Cignal salvages Reinforced bronze after edging PLDT

PLDT on its frustrating and controversial semifinal exit. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/wpPo30bChC

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 4, 2024

Lena Samoilenko, who left everything on the floor with 35 points on top of 10 excellent receptions and nine digs, said their emotions got the better of them as she ended her second stint with PLDT with a fourth-place finish before heading to Vietnam next.

Team captain and libero Kath Arado revealed they thought about not showing up in the battle for third after what happened in the semis.

“Actually, yung mindset talaga namin is wag na pumunta. Siyempre, sino ba naman matutuwa. Hindi lang sa amin, kundi parang sa lahat ng teams na nag-prepare ng maayos, kahit may iniinda, talagang nilalaban, at saka siyempre knowing na talagang pinush kami ng coaches na kung ano yung dapat pa naming i-improve as a team,” said Arado. “Kailangan natin siya ilaban kasi maging professional tayo, trabaho natin ito, pero, pag nandon ka sa sitwasyon, ikaw yung nandon, ikaw yung nanakawan, ikaw yung nangyaring ganon, hindi mo talaga kakayanin emotionally.”

“Pagtapak namin dito sa arena, naramdaman namin yung emotion na kaya ba namin? Kinekwestyon namin yung sarili namin na kaya ba namin? Naging motivation na lang din talaga is yung sacrifices ng bawat isa na kahit may iniinda, nilalaban. Kailangan pa rin namin ilaban para sa isa’t isa,” she added.

READ: PVL: PLDT says protest over controversial call ‘junked’ by league

Kim Fajardo also aired her frustrations, urging the league to “respect the game.”

“At the end of the day, what really matters to me is my team. We fought hard, we fought well, and we fought fair. Our attitude and work ethic won’t be affected by what transpired. These will be used to add fuel to the fire to attain our goal of reaching the top. Lahat ng sacrifices, pawis, hirap at tiis na ginagawa namin will all be worth it someday,” said the PLDT setter. “People started having doubts towards the sport we all love because of what happened. The physical, mental and emotional health of the players are at stake here. This should not even happen. Please, don’t allow this to happen again. Respect the game. Have some integrity for the sport.”

Ricafort added PLDT is not thinking about the All-Filipino Conference in November yet.

“Doon na lang siguro na side na yung mga nanonood nga iba yung take, what more kaming naka-experience. So other than the mindset na kailangan mag-prepare ulit, talagang kailangan i-heal yun. Kasi hanggat hindi nakakarecover, katulad nung kanina, hindi siya ngiging normal na galaw, said Ricafort.

“Kahit nung nag lull kanina, mali yung tawag na in favor naman talaga dapat sa Cignal, iba na yung pakiramdam. Hindi siya healthy kumbaga. Imbis na panggigilan namin yung next conference, yung healing at yung ma-refresh muna kami ulit bago bumalik.”

Arado said the High Speed Hitters no longer have to prove anything next conference. 

“Wala na kaming kailangan i-prove eh. Lagi ngang sinasabi ng coaches na ‘yung progress ng team, talagang nandon na. Sadyang hindi talaga ibibigay sa amin,” she said. “Yung sa next conference, hindi pa namin alam kasi kailangan naming i-heal muna kung ano ‘ung nangyari this conference kasi mahirap talaga siya i-take mentally saka emotionally, mahirap talaga siya sa athlete na alam naming pinaghirapan naman, wala kaming inagrabyaddo ng tao para makuha sana namin yun.”