Savi Davison (right) hammers a kill for PLDT against the Nxled defense. — PVL IMAGES
PLDT was left wounded after a controversial exit within the PVL Reinforced Conference.
However the High Speed Hitters won’t wallow on what happened; they’d slightly rise from the ashes of that disappointing finish and proceed striving to be higher on this All-Filipino Conference.
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“In our sessions with a sports psychologist [we learned that] it might probably’t be the predominant 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 only real motivation itself, our campaigns can’t just have that at the middle.”
“We’re here because that is our job and we like what we’re doing so no matter what happened, we’d like to maneuver on and get used to it so in case it happens again, we are able to handle those situations higher,” 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 within 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 purpose to the Chargers.
Akari knotted the sport 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 now not a fault since Akari import Oly Okaro had already dug the ball within the back row. PLDT filed a protest however the league decided to take care of its decision further fueling social media outrage.
“That’s the steps that we’re taking to maneuver forward but definitely we won’t ignore that form of event,” Ricafort said. “The league is making an effort now. We’ll just move on from that and at the very least there are steps to be done so if it happens again, it won’t be as chaotic because the last time.”
“[What happened before is] an added motivation for us … but like what coach said, it might probably’t be [our] predominant focus since 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 opposite teams as well, at the very least we now know what we are able to accomplish that 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 remains to be recovering from a knee injury from the Invitational Conference last 12 months. They will even proceed 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 in all Ricafort’s predominant scoring weapons, returned after an injury spell and led the team with 19 points against the Chameleons.
“I’m just excited to contribute the way in which I’m used to,” said Davison. “All of us form of have a chip on our shoulder to come back back. But no matter what happened last conference, I feel we’re just working hard to enter that podium spot, and that’s our predominant goal moving forward.”
