PLDT will now have plenty of attacking talent with Savannah Davison (No. 6) and Jules Samonte (No. 4) welcoming Kim Dy (No. 13) into the fold. —PVL IMAGES
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort has an issue. And it’s one which he likes.
The arrival of three vital cogs to backstop the High Speed Hitters in the brand new season of the Premier Volleyball League has not only given him the chance to fill in for his injured stars, it has also given the young coach a glut of talent at his disposal.
Within the setter’s position alone, Ricafort can have veteran Rhea Dimaculangan and recent acquisition Kim Fajardo sharing floor time.
“Within the case of Rhea, she became off in our last two games on account of an injury and it’s a superb problem to have her with Fajardo with us. We just need to take care of Kim’s health because she was also on-off in F2 on account of injuries,” Ricafort told the Inquirer over the phone on Tuesday.
Other than Fajardo, hitter Kim Kianna Dy and middle blocker Majoy Baron are also coming in to supply coach Ricafort exactly what he needs to stay contenders in the approaching All-Filipino Conference.
Perfect fit
Fajardo, Dy and Baron were picked up from the disbanded F2 Logistics club.
“Swak na swak naman (the important thing additions are an ideal fit) … and knowing that they got here from F2, you understand that they may fight,” Ricafort said.
Injuries struck PLDT at the tip of the last All-Filipino Conference, with Erika Santos and Dimaculangan amongst those that were hit. Star middle blocker Mika Reyes, alternatively, continues to rehabilitate a recurring shoulder injury.
Dy’s addition provides the High Speed Hitters with plenty of options in offense with Filipino-Canadian star Savannah Davison and Jules Samonte still around to compete for minutes.
“I lost a few of my players, those who will are available matches in perfectly … Kianna’s arrival is ideal, although Jules continues to be there but our right side can be much stronger,” Ricafort added.
Missed semis
“For Majoy, Mika can be out for sometime so definitely, if not higher, she (Baron) will perfectly take the place of Mika,” he added as PLDT ramps up its training ahead of the upcoming season.
The High Speed Hitters narrowly missed the semifinals within the last conference with a 7-4 win-loss standing and the previous F2 cogs, who took their talents to PLDT after the Cargo Movers decided to depart the professional league last month, can be striving to achieve a significantly better finish.
“With Sav and the [former] F2 players, their help is not going to be one hundred pc technical. I believe it’s their experience with winning, being a champion so that you gave Sav more competitive teammates,” he said.
“[T]he additions that may join [Davison] are experienced coping with tough situations.” INQ
