The PLDT High Speed Hitters are determined to finish their Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference journey on a high note, as they prepare for a crucial match on Wednesday, 04 September 2024, at the PhilSports Arena. After a heart-wrenching semifinal loss, the team is focused on securing a third-place finish, with the spirit of “puso” (heart) driving their efforts.
In a dramatic semifinal clash, the High Speed Hitters narrowly missed their chance at the finals, falling to the Akari Chargers in a five-set thriller with scores of 22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 24-26, and 15-17. Despite the crushing defeat, team captain Kath Arado expressed gratitude for the team’s resilience and professionalism throughout the tournament.
“Personally, nahirapan akong tanggapin nung una kasi feeling ko malapit na naming maabot ang goal namin as a team. Pero kahit masakit para sa amin kung ano ang naging outcome ng game, pinakita ng team kung gaano sila ka-professional bilang manlalaro at ka-passionate sa sport. For this, I remain thankful, [Personally, it was hard for me to accept at first because I felt we were so close to reaching our goal as a team. But even though the outcome of the game was painful for us, the team showed how professional they are as players and how passionate they are about the sport. For this, I remain thankful,]” according to team captain Kath Arado.
The High Speed Hitters’ campaign in the conference was a testament to their fighting spirit, as they battled through the tournament without key scorers Savi Davison and Kianna Dy, who were sidelined due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, the team made a remarkable run to the semifinals, entering as the fourth seed and facing the undefeated Akari Chargers.
Although they fell short of a finals berth, the team remains focused on their next challenge: a bronze medal showdown against the Cignal HD Spikers. With unwavering determination, Arado emphasized the importance of finishing strong.
“Despite these tough times, we remain committed to finishing the tournament. Puso ang ipanlalaban namin. Mas nanaig pa din yung integrity na gusto naming i-instill sa bawat isa na lalaban kami palagi nang tapat at patas. Dahil para sa akin, dito mas mahuhubog yung loob at isip namin tanggapin ano man ang mangyari at palaging mag-set ng positive mindset sa mga bagay na mahal namin kagaya ng volleyball, [Despite these tough times, we remain committed to finishing the tournament. We will fight with all our heart. Integrity still prevails, as we want to instill in each other the value of always competing honestly and fairly. For me, this is where our hearts and minds will be shaped to accept whatever happens and to always maintain a positive mindset in the things we love, like volleyball,]” Arado added.
Arado, a three-time PVL Best Libero, delivered an impressive performance in the semifinals, registering 19 excellent digs to support setter Kim Fajardo’s well-distributed plays. Import Lena Samoilenko led the team’s scoring with 30 points, with additional contributions from Erika Santos (15 points), Fiola Ceballos (14 points), Majoy Baron (7 points), and Mika Reyes (7 points) in her return to the court.
The team’s resolve has been bolstered by the overwhelming support from fans, with “We stand with PLDT” trending on X (formerly Twitter) as a show of solidarity. Head coach Rald Ricafort expressed his gratitude for the support and emphasized its role as a motivating factor for the team’s final game.
“I just constantly remind them who we are as a team. That we did everything the right way with purpose, integrity, and the growth mindset na nakatulong [helped] sa amin throughout the years,” said Ricafort.
As the PLDT High Speed Hitters prepare for their final match, they remain committed to their goals and ready to give it their all. Fans can catch the action on 04 September 2024 at 4:00 PM, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Follow the team on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. for the latest updates.