Rald Ricafort: I feel the On Tour is a terrific initiative. —PVLIMAGES
With this yr’s PVL On Tour now labeled as a showcase greater than anything, PLDT will come into the event that gets happening Wednesday as a former champion now just wanting to catch up with to its fans because the event plays in numerous parts of the country.
Now a purely preseason showdown between the squads. the High Speed Hitters will miss the possibility to defend their breakthrough title. As an alternative, coach Rald Ricafort, said the approaching stint will help them construct up for the Invitational, which additionally they ruled last yr, and Reinforced Conference.
“We’ll just treat it as the primary tournament on our calendar (just the identical),” Ricafort told the Inquirer in Filipino because the PVL won’t be calling it a tournament within the strictest sense to satisfy an FIVB rule on holding official events at the moment of the yr. “It’s also an enormous assist in preparing and constructing momentum for the Invitationals and the
Reinforced Conference.
“To this point, we’re near getting the team back to full strength,” he added. “The players who were coping with injuries and had limited court time are steadily returning. Even our latest players are adjusting well. Hopefully, everyone stays healthy heading into the On Tour.”
Ricafort said they’re looking forward to giving back to the fans from different provinces as they play Choco Mucho on July 25 in Vigan City, ZUS Coffee in Santiago, Isabela on Aug. 8 and Akari in Lanao Del Norte on Aug. 15.
“I feel the On Tour is a terrific initiative, especially for the fans. It gives them the possibility to look at the teams live once they would normally only see us on TV or on their phones,” Ricafort said. “It’s also a way for us to present back through fan activities like meet-and-greets. Hopefully, it also inspires young players who dream of reaching the collegiate and skilled levels someday.”
With the core of Savi Davison, Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Alleiah Malaluan, Kim Fajardo and Kath Arado, PLDT swept last yr’s On Tour and Invitational.
They placed fourth within the Reinforced and won bronze within the All-Filipino Conference last April. INQ