The PLDT High Speed Hitters absorb their first loss in 16 games on Tuesday. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — For PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, losing for the first time after 16 games removes the pressure on his players as they continue their pursuit for a triple crown in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
The 2025 On Tour and 2025 Invitational champs are gunning for a third straight PVL title, and have not lost since those tournaments--until on Tuesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The High Speed Hitters were sent crashing back to earth, losing to an import-less Cignal side, 17-25, 22-25, 25-21, to move down to 2-1 in Pool A.
READ: PVL: Cignal coach says their import situation 'a wake-up call'
For Ricafort, this was just another lesson learned as they shift to the bright spots of this loss.
"'Yung process naman na 'yan, sinuwerte lang din kami na 'yung naging process namin for the past 15 games, pataas lahat," expressed the champion tactician. "Pero, hindi naman talaga siya magiging realidad ng buhay. Kailangan mo rin talagang bumaba."
"So ang naging lesson lang din sa amin, at least nangyari na siya ngayon, natanggal lahat ng pressure, kung ano man 'yung outside noise, saka distractions."
READ: PVL: Import-less Cignal halts PLDT's 15-game winning run
For Ricafort and company, they're just returning to the drawing board.
"Babalik lang ulit kami dun sa trabaho na alam namin gawin, saka gagawin namin sa mga susunod na laro," said the PLDT mentor.
As they seek to regain their winning ways against undefeated Farm Fresh, Ricafort said they aim to make that Tuesday defeat a "wake-up call."
"Hindi siya 'yung magiging madali coming from this loss. Tapos 'yung next namin [referring to Farm Fresh], wala pang talo at maganda 'yung ginagalaw. At least, isahang wake-up call na lang sa amin na lalong may pressure yung next game na mag-execute kami at gumalaw nang tama."
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