Rald Ricafort says PLDT ‘youth movement’ convinced him to take coaching job

Rald Ricafort. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Coach Rald Ricafort cited his passion for training young players as one of the reasons for his move to PLDT in the Premier Volleyball League.

Ricafort’s sudden transfer to the High Speed Hitters shook the volleyball scene on Wednesday, with the champion mentor saying he took the offer for the PLDT role to carry forward his interest in the “youth movement.”

“As what was said to me by PLDT, they wanted to have a youth movement beginning with the coaches. That’s also where I believe my career direction should go. I took the job as a perfect opportunity to have a new environment,” Ricafort said in Filipino.

“Of course, the pressure is there to compete every time but for me, I will enjoy this,” he added.

Much of the surprise comes from the fact that Ricafort is coming off a title-winning campaign with Petro Gazz in the Reinforced Conference, where the Angels swept the Cignal HD Spikers in two games.

He will replace George Pascua, who steered the High Speed Hitters to a sixth-place finish in the Reinforced tournament.

Ricafort will bring along assistant coach and longtime colleague Arnold Laniog to PLDT.

“Having him is definitely a big help for me as I move to this new environment since we were already together all these years. With him, there won’t be much of an adjustment in the transition that we want to instill in this team,” Ricafort said.