They are trusting the process.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters notched their second straight win on Tuesday night at the PhilSports Areana as they stunned erstwhile unbeaten Cherry Tigo Crossovers in straight sets, 25-13, 25-22, 27-25.
Leading the way were Dell Palomata, team captain Mika Reyes, and Michelle Morente, along with Kathleen Arado and Jovelyn Prado, who combined for 31 excellent digs and 24 excellent receptions, to highlight the High Speed Hitters’ complete team effort.
Coach Rald Ricafort isn’t the least bit surprised.
“Coming into the game, ‘yung mindset talaga ‘yung nagdadala. Nire-remind lang talaga sila na kahit hindi sila ‘yung may big names, kahit sila ‘yung medyo rebuilding pa this season dahil sa [new] system na ina-apply, laging may chance manalo,” Ricafort said post-game.
“’Yun ang ini-instill sa kanila, saka ‘yung improvement every game, every training para pagdating dito, walang pagsisisihan kung anuman yung lumabas na result.”
Ricafort and PLDT, though, know there is plenty of work still to be done.
“Trabahao kami ulit kasi tight yung schedule,” added Ricafort, who credited PLDT’s back-to-back wins to his players embracing the process of building a winning culture.
“Nakakapagod ‘yung process, pero naa-appreciate nila pag tumatalab, pag nangyayari yung pinag-uusapan,” explained the champion coach. Ganun yung nangyari kanina. Kung ano yung plinano namin ng ilang days, buti lumitaw.”
That process will be put the test even more with a date against the Petro Gazz Angels (Ricafort’s former team) looming on Thursday and a match against the Akari Chargers scheduled next Tuesday. And Ricafort expects his High Speed Hitters to continue working hard despite being in the midst of a killer stretch.
“May pagod ‘tong mga ‘to. Hindi pwedeng dikit-dikit na heavy ‘yung load,” Ricafort pointed out. “Kung hindi man namin ma-work-on sa skills sa loob ng court, ‘yung pag-aaral talaga namin sa video at sa scouting kasi ‘yun na ‘yung extra work na talagang pwede nila i-push. ‘Yung aralin ‘yung mangyayari…”
All that work is but part of the process of building a winner over at PLDT—and it is starting to pay dividends.