PLDT’s Savi Davison reacts during a game against ZUS Coffee in the PVL All-Filipino Conference in Passi, Iloilo.–PVL PHOTO
PASSI CITY, ILOILO—PLDT coach Rald Ricafort refuses to think too far ahead, knocking on wood when he was asked if he thinks that the High Speed Hitters finally have the chance to go all the way in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
“Hopefully,” Ricafort said in Filipino as he sheepishly smiled. “That’s our goal every conference.”
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The High Speed Hitters look primed for that goal, finishing at No. 4 going into the KO round after blanking ZUS Coffee, 25-20, 25-16, 25-15, on Saturday at the City of Passi Arena here.
The victory that gave PLDT a closing 8-3 record means a lot more in terms of strategic insight and psychological edge as they again battle the Thunderbelles, who ended up as ninth seeds, in a you-or-me match for a place in the quarterfinals.
“The mindset today was to perform thinking of the [KO] pairing as well, so we are happy to be able to control the game,” Ricafort said.
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“Just happy to finish the preliminary strong and to get out with the win, right? It gives us the momentum going to the [next round],” said Savi Davison, who had 17 points to help PLDT to a fourth straight victory.
Majoy Baron helped with 10 points, including a pair of aces, Angelica Alcantara orchestrated PLDT’s offense with 10 excellent sets while Kath Arado guarded the floor with 16 excellent digs.
The winners of six KO games will advance, with the last two seats in the quarterfinals to be disputed by the six losing sides in a single-round play-in tournament.
The bitter, controversial loss in the last Reinforced Conference semifinals to Akari is still fresh in the mind of PLDT.
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