Back as queens
Following breakthrough back-to-back title runs last year, expectations were high for PLDT, with some even going to say that it was primed to building a PVL dynasty.
The High Speed Hitters will have to settle for the All-Filipino bronze in the first tournament since those expectations arose after Kianna Dy and Savi Davison fended off Farm Fresh in another thrilling five-setter, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5, for a sweep in their battle for the crumbs Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Despite not reaching their ultimate goal of winning another title after ruling last year’s On Tour and Invitational Conference, coach Rald Ricafort remained fulfilled with their podium finish.
“It’s not automatic. I don’t know why people think that just because we did well in past conferences, we’re guaranteed a finals spot,” Ricafort said in Filipino. “That’s not how it works.
“The competition is much tougher now—national team players are back, and some teams have strengthened by combining lineups [from the disbanded teams]. It’s really hard,” he added. “But if this is what we get this time, we’re still very thankful.”
He justified why that should be the case.
“This is actually our best finish because in previous All-Filipino conferences, we fell short in the battle for third,” he said. “We weren’t there mentally. So we’ll go back to our main goal as a team: when players truly work for each other, this is the kind of result we can achieve.”
The High Speed Hitters were 7-2 and finished as the No.1 seed after the eliminations. But they lost their first two games in the round robin semifinals to bow out of the championship chase.
“It’s really tough and exhausting just to reach the semis. Our initial goal was to make the Final Four because all the teams are strong now,” Ricafort explained. “Even if we didn’t reach our ultimate goal of making the finals, I commend the players for fighting.
“We’re still thankful. It’s a milestone for us to finish third this time,” he said. “What we’re doing isn’t easy, so getting the bronze is something we appreciate.”
Dy led the High Speed Hitters with 21 points off 14 kills, six blocks, and an ace. Davison had 20 points and 10 excellent digs, while Kiesha Bedonia came off the bench with 15 points, highlighted by the telling blows in the fifth st.
“I think we were all on the same page coming out of the gate,” Davison said. “The fourth set was kind of a struggle for us, so we really wanted to show that we were capable and just the trust that we had in each other on the court and the way that we play together.
“I think it didn’t come easy but it felt really good,” said Davison.
Kim Fajardo dished out 32 excellent sets, as Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron added 10 points each for the High Speed Hitters as star libero Kath Arado finished with 28 digs and 21 excellent receptions.
PLDT won Game 1 in five sets, with Davison pouring 33 in a 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11 win on Tuesday.
Farm Fresh still had its best franchise finish after making the semifinals for the first time.
Trisha Tubu unloaded 23 points. Ces Molina had 12 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Ria Meneses, Royse Tubino, and Mylene Paat added nine points each.
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