With the start of the current 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, the PLDT High Speed Hitters seek to uphold the "Pusong PLDT" theme.
So far, this has been affirmed early on, with consecutive wins against NXLED and Galeries to kickoff their campaign.
Mika Reyes shares about their outlook for this conference, "We are all still proud and motivated. When we talk, it’s mostly about how we can improve our game from the previous conference."
Team captain Kath Arado adds, "After nung nangyari sa amin last conference, siguro mas masasabi ko na mas tumibay yung bond namin as a team. Ang mindset ko kasi palagi, dapat every training lagi kong ibigay yung 100% ko para pagdating sa actual games, sanay yung katawan at isip ko sa fan pressure at hirap dahil alam kong lahat ng team, pinaghahandaan palagi ang bawat game."
Volleyball fans would recall about the manner of the High Speed Hitters' exit in the previous conference, and the team has moved on from it and has exerted its focus towards being one of the best in the current stint. Such resilience would be considered as an affirmation of the Pusong PLDT philosophy.
Reyes notes about this, "We’ve got a solid team, and we’re putting in the work every day. We’re focused on one game at a time, but we believe we can go far if we keep improving and stick to our game plan."
One cannot go with just the heart alone, but when steered with a system, it can help get you further. In PLDT's case, it rests on the shoulders of Rald Ricafort, who will be marking his second anniversary with the team this coming January.
About their staff, Savi Davison says, "Coach Rald and the rest of the staff have created a system that works for us... As athletes, we must trust that system and fully commit to the process to perfect it. The coaches work to identify aspects of our game that can be improved and show us how to apply those improvements by simulating game-time situations and creating pressure."
Davison, an University of Oklahoma alumna, has returned to action after sitting out the last conference due to an issue with her left knee.
Arado adds, "Sa mga coaches namin, sobrang thankful ako kasi ang lawak nila mag-isip, na every training mapapaisip ka na ‘Ang dami ko pa palan gdapat matutunan. Happy ako kasi nagbubunga lahat ng paghihirap namin sa training. Yung tiwala namin sa isa’t-isa, hindi nawawala kasi yung mga nagtuturo ngasa amin, may tiwalasa amin."
The Speed Hitters are very much appreciative of the support they have been receiving from both management and especially from the fans.
Reyes notes about the former, "Management has been great in supporting our training and making sure we have what we need."
As for the latter, their loyalty and passion from the game is what lifts the team's spirit.
"To the fans, no words can express my gratitude and happiness tuwing nakakasama namin kayo sa games namin. Hindi man tayo kasing dami nila pero para sa amin, kayo ang the best fans," said Arado.
"Thank you for always supporting us! Your energy and belief in us make a huge difference, and we feel it every time we play. Keep cheering us on, and we’ll keep pushing to make you proud," said Reyes.
"I believe that PLDT is capable of winning it all. Overall, we have all the support needed to win, we just need to ensure that we continue to play with intention, grit, and maybe a little bit of attitude. I am super excited to see how this conference turns out for us, hopefully in our favor! We cannot wait to see you all in our games and show you what we have been working on!,” shares Davison.
