PVL: PLDT coach not surprised by young Bedonia’s gritty showing

PLDT’s Kiesha Bedonia.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT signed Kiesha Bedonia for a reason and its youngest spiker showed why as she came through when it mattered most to help overcome Choco Mucho in five sets on Tuesday night in the 2024 PVL All-Fillipino Conference. 

Bedonia, who checked in late in the fourth, scored three of her four points in the decider to help the High Speed Hitters deny the Flying Titans’ comeback with a 25-20, 25-12, 23-25, 11-25, 15-13 victory on Tuesday evening at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

PLDT coach Rald Ricafort lauded his rookie, who was the team’s last signing before the season, for showing nerves of steel against the Sisi Rondina-led squad.

“Mukha lang mahiyain ‘yan at tsaka bata pero ball is life. Matapang ‘yan kaya alam namin na kaya naman mag-deliver,” said Ricafort. “

READ: PVL: PLDT puts first loss behind with dominant bounce-back win

“Hindi naman din tayo kumukuha ng basta basta lang noong off season. Kumukuha talaga kami nung, una may potential at tsaka alam namin na makaktulong sa team. Mabigat ‘yung pagkawala nung dalawang nasa Choco ngayon pero sana naging enough sa recruitment para maka-deliver.”

The former Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraw showed her readiness with quality play off the bench.

“Hindii ko lang po iniisip yung sa loob ng court gusto ko lang talaga maglaro and makacontribute talaga sa team. Willing talaga po maglaro ako [magdeliver] sa loob ng court,” Bedonia said.

Bedonia knew her team was really determined to stun the Flying Titans coming off a 10-day break.

“Sobrang saya ko po and siyempre nakatulong din ako sa teammates ko. Sobrang gutom na gutom po kami manalo talaga ngayon. So kaya nung mga hard training namin talaga nagbunga ngayon,” she said.

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Ricafort also credited his starters Savi Davison, Erika Santos, Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron, Dell Palomata, and libero Kath Arado for executing their game plan from the long break. But he found the right mix when he fielded Bedonia.

“Talagang ‘yung matchup inayos lang namin tapos ‘yung pag remind lang sakanila na ito ‘yung situation na binabanggit kanina before game na mahirap, na kailangan mas mangibabaw na kalmado lang dapat,” said Rocafort.

PLDT (4-1) forced a five-way tie on top with Choco Mucho, Creamline, Cignal, and Petro Gazz, hoping to sustain its momentum against Farm Fresh on Saturday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.