With the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference off to a roaring start, the PLDT High Speed Hitters seek to show the entire league exactly what they’re made of — their unshakable “Pusong PLDT” — in what is sure to be a revenge tour for the hungry team. And rightfully so, the team has performed so far winning over the NXLED Chameleons, 3-1; the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 3-0; and the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 3-0, in their first games.

“We are all still proud and motivated. When we talk, it’s mostly about how we can improve our game from the previous conference,” said middle blocker Mika Reyes when asked about their outlook this new season.

For many PLDT fans, the previous conference and the team’s highly controversial knockout from the playoffs became a sore point. Fortunately, the athletes are more than focused on moving forward and proving that they are among the league’s best — this determination is the real definition of Pusong PLDT.

“After nung nangyari sa amin last conference, siguro mas masasabi ko na mas tumibay yung bond namin as a team,” said libero and team captain Kath Arado. “Ang mindset ko kasi palagi, dapat every training lagi kong ibigay yung 100% ko para pagdating sa actual games, sanay yung katawan at isip ko sa pressure at hirap dahil alam kong lahat ng team, pinaghahandaan palagi ang bawat game.”

“We’ve got a solid team, and we’re putting in the work every day,” added Reyes. “We’re focused on one game at a time, but we believe we can go far if we keep improving and stick to our game plan.”

A winning coaching system

The Pusong PLDT that the High Speed Hitters will carry to the All-Filipino Conference isn’t just blind heart and passion. It’s also backed up by a well-thought-out plan by the team’s coaching staff, headed by coach Rald Ricafort, who will be with PLDT for two years this coming January.

“Coach Rald and the rest of the staff have created a system that works for us,” said outside hitter Savi Davison, who nursed a minor injury from a previous tear in the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.

She sat out in the last conference.

“As athletes, we must trust that system and fully commit to the process to perfect it,” she added. “The coaches work to identify aspects of our game that can be improved and show us how to apply those improvements by simulating game-time situations and creating pressure.”

“Sa mga coaches namin, sobrang thankful ako kasi ang lawak nila mag-isip, na every training mapapaisip ka na ‘Ang dami ko pa palang dapat matutunan,’” said Arado. “Happy ako kasi nagbubunga lahat ng paghihirap namin sa training. Yung tiwala namin sa isa’t-isa, hindi nawawala kasi yung mga nagtuturo nga sa amin, may tiwala sa amin.”

Reyes also confirms that the team is well taken care of, and that goes a long way toward future success.

“Management has been great in supporting our training and making sure we have what we need,” she said.