PLDT is currently the hottest team in the league with 11 straight wins stemming from the PVL on Tour all the way to the ongoing PVL Invitational.
Healthy players proved to be the difference for the PLDT High Speed Hitters as they now flaunt a full-force lineup in the short but sweet PVL Invitational.
Currently on an 11-game tear since their sweep run to the title in the PVL on Tour earlier this month, the High Speed Hitters have yet to drop a set in the ongoing PVL Invitational. For head coach Rald Ricafort, it was all about realizing the team’s full potential.
“Una, yung health ng players. Mas binibigyan namin ng emphasis saka yun naman, basta makumpleto kami, tao tao, nakikita naman na ganun yung potential [ng team],” said Ricafort after their 3-set sweep of Kobe Shinwa University on Monday.
“Pero in terms of our standing, never pinaguusapan kasi galing naman kami as On Tour format na isang talo laglag agad eh. Talagang every game nalang yung pinaghahandaan namin,” he added.
Of course, winning momentum is never unwelcome, and with one more game remaining before a one-day decider for the crown, the High Speed Hitters are not willing to give an inch, even as they stand to clinch a spot in the Finals later on Monday.
[READ: PLDT dials 11th straight win, downs Kobe Shinwa to move on cusp of PVL Invitational Finals]
Going up against a depleted ZUS Coffee in their last game of the preliminary round on Thursday, the PVL on Tour champions are raring to complete another sweep en route to the championship round.
“‘Di pa rin pwedeng i-ano eh, maging complacent with ZUS. Kasi nung nakalaban din namin sila, very close fight din,” said Ricafort.
“Ayaw naman namin na, depende pa naman mamaya, pero kung magfafinals nga kami ayaw namin namin na going to finals magkaproblema pa. Kailangan paghandaan namin ‘yung ZUS bago isipin ‘yung sa weekend.”
At 4-0, the High Speed Hitters are on the cusp of the finals berth if Cignal beats ZUS Coffee in the ongoing game as of writing.
Should ZUS take the victory, PLDT will do well to clinch another win on Thursday to seal the deal.
Regardless, the High Speed Hitters firmly have their fate in their hands to hopefully gun for another title to further establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the PVL.