Confidence can do wonders for an athlete.
There were a lot of firsts for the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in their 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference campaign. They were the first to field a female coach in Regine Diego. They had their maiden semifinals appearance in the league. And of course, the Cargo Movers secured their first podium finish in the PVL.
Beating the PLDT High Speed Hitters in four sets on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, F2 Logistics made franchise history, and the team’s ace setter Kim Fajardo is soaking it all in. Individually, ending up as the third-best team in the tournament was a validation of her abilities.
“Special ‘to for me as an individual player kasi alam ko nang mayroon pa. ‘Nandoon pa rin ako,” Fajardo told One Sports Digital after the bronze medal match.
Talking from the entire team’s perspective, the former De La Salle University Lady Spiker believes that her club’s most recent success is a precursor to the Cargo Movers' future stints in the PVL.
“’Yung target talaga namin, nandoon. ‘Yun talaga. Hindi man namin makuha ngayon, alam namin ‘yung mga lapses namin. Talagang sa susunod na conference, i-improve talaga namin,” Fajardo who had 24 excellent sets against PLDT said.
For fans of the squad in yellow, the 29-year-old volleyball star’s fighting words make for something to look forward to in the next PVL tourneys. For the other squads, it inadvertently serves a warning that says, the Cargo Movers will be serious title contenders from here on out.
“Hindi na kami papayag nang ganun-ganun na lang kami matatalo na wala kami sa Final Four, na wala kami sa top three sa volleyball dito sa’tin. Hindi kami papayag next conference, talaga. ‘Yun ‘yung mindset namin, ‘yung motivation namin, ‘yung lahat ng paghuhugutan namin ng inspirasyon for next conference.”