PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Mika Reyes. -PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Despite suffering strings of frustrating losses for PLDT, Mika Reyes and the High Speed Hitters came into the crucial game against Petro Gazz with a relaxed mindset.
And simply just enjoying the game helped them finally end their woes and stay in semifinal contention in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Coming off a four-game skid, capped by a denied appeal on their controversial loss to Petro Gazz last Saturday, Reyes conspired with Russian spiker Elena Samoilenko to lead PLDT’s 25-11, 25-21, 25-19 victory over Akari on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The High Speed Hitters coach George Pascua decided to move on, which her players followed as Reyes believes that enjoying the game was key to their second win.
“It’s really important to enjoy the game. It’s easier to play when you are enjoying it. Even though we committed mistakes, coach kept on reminding us to make up for our lapses,” said the star middle blocker in Filipino after scoring 15 points from 10 kills, three aces, and two blocks.
Reyes also said they were unfazed by the Prisilla Rivera-led Akari, allowing them to move better.
“We were not afraid to commit mistakes. Because in the past few games, we were afraid to commit errors that’s why we moved tight. But I think those losses were enough for us to learn from our past mistakes,” said the former La Salle star.
After ending its slump, PLDT improved to a 2-4 record but it is still in a must-win situation in their last two games against Cignal and Chery Tiggo next week.
Reyes and High Speed Hitters will just keep on enjoying their last two games as they try to keep their semifinal chances alive.
“We’ll take it one game at a time first and of course, we need to stay ready for our next game because Cignal is playing well so we really have to prepare,” Reyes said.