August 21, 2025

Rald Ricafort lauds PLDT players for PVL breakthrough: 'Sila ‘yung nag-commit at di sumuko'

Rald Ricafort lauds PLDT players for PVL breakthrough:
Head coach Rald Ricafort and the PLDT High Speed Hitters capped off a perfect 8-0 run, securing the PVL On Tour title in dominant fashion. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports

Coach Rald Ricafort’s journey with the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the PVL has been nothing short of a rollercoaster — filled with close calls, heartbreaks, and the lingering question of when the breakthrough would finally come.

That was answered at last this month, as PLDT scored its first-ever title in the league with the PVL on Tour.

“Sulit ‘yung hirap, ‘yung mga heartbreaks at mga sayang before, and lahat naman ‘to credit to the players. Sila ‘yung nag-commit at hindi sumuko,” Ricafort said on Starting Line-up. 

The High Speed Hitters finally got over the hump after beating the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in a marathon five-set finale last Sunday, August 17 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. 

[ALSO READ: PLDT survives Chery Tiggo to complete perfect PVL on Tour championship run]

After racing to a two-set lead, PLDT saw its advantage erased by a defiant Chery Tiggo side. But with everything on the line, the High Speed Hitters rose from the brink and stormed through the deciding frame, sealing not just a win but a moment of arrival.

At the heart of it was Finals MVP Mika Reyes, who stood tall in every sense and delivered 20 points, including 13 attacks and a Finals-record seven blocks. 

For Reyes, Best Libero Kath Arado, explosive scorer Savi Davison, Kim Dy, and nearly the entire PLDT roster, it was their first taste of championship glory. 

[ALSO READ: Savi Davison says PLDT's first PVL title is a testament to total team effort]

But for Ricafort it was his second PVL crown. Back in 2022, he lifted his first PVL trophy with Petro Gazz Angels in the Reinforced Conference. 

Now, three years later, he etched his name deeper into league history, becoming the first head coach to win titles with two different franchises in the PVL’s eight-year run. 

He also joined elite company as just the third coach to capture multiple crowns, following Creamline’s Sherwin Meneses (7) and former Cool Smashers tactician Tai Bundit (3).

“Swerte lang sa mga players na nakakasama. Pero nagtugma-tugma lang din ‘yung situation. From sa dati hanggang ngayon na naging healthy na rin [sa PLDT], tsaka ‘yung mga pinagdaanan kaya nakuha ‘yung goal,” he shared.

 

But history offers little time for rest. Just four days after their breakthrough, the High Speed Hitters are set to begin a new campaign — and fittingly, it starts with a Finals rematch.

Later tonight at 6:30 p.m. inside the PhilSports Arena, PLDT faces Chery Tiggo once again, this time in the PVL Invitational Conference. Whether they carry a championship hangover or newfound championship confidence could set the tone for their title defense.

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