The PLDT High Speed Hitters are slowly but surely healing their wounds from their controversial defeat in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters’ semifinal defeat in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference definitely took a mental and physical toll on the team.
Needing just a point to advance to the Finals, the High Speed Hitters challenged a potential net touch on the Akari Chargers. However, the challenge was ruled unsuccessful, causing an uproar among the PLDT players and coaching staff.
The PVL had clarified the ruling, referencing the FIVB 3.21 casebook, stating that Akari's Ezra Madrigal had already established her position with both feet on the ground before contacting the net.
After the controversial finish, PLDT went on to play in the bronze medal game against the Cignal HD Spikers, which they would lose in four sets. The High Speed Hitters later admitted that they were almost a no-show for that game after what transpired in the semifinals.
[ALSO READ: PVL: PLDT High Speed Hitters' Kath Arado makes appeal to fans regarding attitude towards Akari Chargers]
But with a rather long break for the team, PLDT has been slowly but surely recovering from the mental and physical heartbreak they experienced with the help of professionals.
“Hindi ko ma-guarantee na totally okay na eh pero getting there siguro. Pati sa tulong nung mga sports psychologists saka mental performance coaches malaking tulong samin ‘yun,” coach Rald Ricafort told One Sports.
“So far, nakaka-two sessions na very meaningful saka malaking tulong na agad, so hopefully madagdagan saka during the conference meron pa rin,” he added.
Team captain Kath Arado likewise admitted that the team is still recovering from the controversial defeat, but they are slowly making progress.
“Hindi ko masasabing 100 percent [na naka-recover na]. Hindi naman kasi siya makakalimutan pero magiging lesson siya sakin na mas patatagin pa ‘yung team and ‘yung mental toughness talaga,” Arado explained.
“Masaya ako kasi kahit paano napag-uusapan na siya in general. Siguro masasabi ko na ‘yun ‘yung process namin. Kaya na namin siyang banggitin na hindi na kami naiiyak, nalulungkot pero ‘yun na ‘yung nagiging motivation as a team,” she added.
But more than just motivation, the loss also serves as a lesson and reminder for PLDT, hoping to avoid a similar situation in the future.
“Puwedeng motivation pero hindi na ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-main namin. It’s more of paano nalang kami mag-respond and ano ‘yung mas magandang mindset namin coming to this conference,” said Ricafort.
“Alam naman namin pagkukulang naman si team, individually and as a team, so ‘yung lesson na ‘yun na para hindi mangyari ulit. Ano bang puwede gawin namin para hindi mangyari ulit ‘yun? So nagiging lesson and motivation samin,” Arado added.