Still, PLDT team captain Kath Arado and the High Speed Hitters had a change of heart and showed up to battle sister team Cignal HD Spikers for the bronze.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters nearly dropped the call for a chance of securing their first-ever podium finish in franchise history.
“Actually, ‘yung mindset talaga namin is huwag na pumunta,” Arado revealed in the aftermath of the PLDT High Speed Hitters four-set loss against the Cignal HD Spikers to end up in fourth place in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The PLDT team captain bared that the players were unsure of playing their bronze medal match against the HD Spikers, admitting the High Speed Hitters are still reeling from the effects of their controversy-marred semifinal loss against the Akari Chargers.
“Pinipilit namin [tanggapin] with the help of the management and the coaches, pero mahirap siya tanggapin.”
[ALSO READ: PVL explains controversial unsuccessful challenge by PLDT against Akari in Reinforced Conference semis]
Even head coach Rald Ricafort admitted that PLDT did not fully move on mentally from that match, but still chose to show up.
“Unang mindset is to show up kasi from the Saturday game na nangyari talagang mahirap siya tanggapin mentally. Ganoon na ka-drain," he said.
PLDT earlier tried to file a protest, but later revealed it was junked by the PVL--citing the FIVB casebook.
“In the FIVB 3.17 casebook, it states: ‘After a blocker landed securely, he turned and hit the mesh of the net between the antennae with his/her shoulder. Should this have been called a fault? No, because the action of playing the ball was complete before he/she turned, the contact with the net is not a fault,’” PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo explained.
He further clarified that since Madrigal had already established her position with both feet on the ground before making contact with the net, the referees ruled that it was not a fault.
“Wala na ‘yung action of playing the ball dun sa net when she twisted. The play was already with Oly [Okaro] going to the setter. Kumbaga wala na siya kinalaman,” said Malonzo.
It was still hard for PLDT to take in.
“'Yung mental state, hindi 100%. So ‘yung pag-show up today, ‘yun ‘yung unang goal and nagawa naman pero nasagad na siguro," Ricafort said.
Though difficult in her heart, Arado had a change of heart as her talk with Ricafort ultimately led her and the squad to take the high road.
“Hindi siya madali para sa’kin pero hindi ko tinitingnan lang ‘yung sacrifice ko as a player pero mas nanaig sakin ‘yung pinakita na process ng team individually," Arado bared.
The team then wore black during their warm-up, with the words "PUSONG PLDT" written on their shirts.
“Sabi ko nga kay coach [Rald] noong nagusap kami, ayoko kasi itapon ‘yung pinaghirapan ng team this conference," she said.
Kath Arado registered 17 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions, but it was not enough to secure a medal yet again.
Despite falling short of a podium, Arado stuck with their moral compass heading to the game.
“Siguro ‘yung motivation namin is ‘yung sacrifices ng bawat isa na kahit may iniinda talagang inilalaban. ‘Yun na lang ‘yung pinanghahawakan namin.”
They'll be taking a break first, skipping the Invitational Conference to rest and prepare for next season's All-Filipino Conference.