She went 26-of-34 in digs, 12-of-23 in receptions, and even scored two points.
Scoring 16 and 15 points, respectively, Jovie Prado and Mich Morente spearheaded the PLDT High Speed Hitters offense as they defeated the Petro Gazz Angels in Game 2 of their PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals matchup. Aside from that, another huge reason why the High Speed Hiiters were able to extend the series was the stellar play of their star libero Kath Arado.
The University of the East Lady Warriors' product wasn’t happy with her Game 1 outing. Her objective coming into Game 2 was to render a much better performance. And that’s exactly what she did.
“’Yung pagkukulang ko as a parang defense specialist, ‘yun ‘yung nasa isip ko hanggang papunta dito sa venue na hangga’t kaya kong kuhanin, kukuhanin ko’ para ma-lessen ‘yung pressure ng mga kasama ko,’” Arado said after the game.
“So, ‘yung pressure na bitbit nila, ano ba naman ‘yung bawasan ko pa para kahit papaano, kaunti na lang ‘yung tatrabahuin nila,” she further explained.
When PLDT coach Rald Ricafort was asked to comment about his ace libero’s impressive showing, the tactician practically said that he expected nothing less from a player of Arado’s caliber.
“’Yung kay Kath naman, high expectations lagi sa kaniya. National team player, starting libero, ‘yung ganiyan niya [sa] training, sa game, ‘yun at ‘yun pa rin naman ‘yung pinapakita. So, given na sa kaniya ‘yun.”
PLDT setter and one of the team’s top veterans Rhea Dimaculangan echoed his coach’s appreciation of Arado.
“Normal na lang po ‘yun. Actually, si Kath kasi kahit sa training all out siya. So, pagdating sa game parang nasasanay na siya na ‘ganon… Mas nadadala niya kami kapag nakaka-save siya ng mgagandang bola,” Dimaculangan said during the postgame presser.
Count on Arado, Dimaculangan, and the rest of the High Speed Hitters to double up their effort in Game 3 as they’ll try to complete the comeback against the Angels who’ll be eager to bounce back on Thursday.