PVL: PLDT regains winning form in time for second round

PLDT’s Lena Samoilenko against Farm Fresh during the PVL Reinforced Conference.– PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Focusing on the team’s strengths, Lena Samoilenko and Kim Fajardo helped PLDT regain their winning ways to end the first round of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

Following a tough five-set loss to Chery Tiggo, Samoilenko continued to show her scoring prowess with 22 points with Fajardo providing the plays to lead PLDT to a bounce back 25-20, 25-23, 25-23 win over Farm Fresh and secure the top three in Pool A on Thursday at Philsports Arena.

After absorbing their first loss of the midseason conference at the hands of Khat Bell–who erupted for 39–and Chery Tiggo, the Russian spiker urged her teammates to keep their faith in each other. 

READ: PVL: PLDT bounces back with sweep of Farm Fresh to end first round

PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, Kim Fajardo, and Lena Samoilenko after regaining their winning ways. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/W3voGUiXDl

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 8, 2024

“Of course, [we wanted to] come back stronger. For me, it really doesn’t matter [who I am playing against]. We need to show in the game [that we work as a team]. Khat Bell, of course, she’s a good import. But I have a good team and strong team,” Samoilenko said. “

Fajardo, who had 12 excellent sets on top of three points, also urged her team to keep moving after falling short to Chery Tiggo last Saturday.

“We’re always thinking of what’s next after every game. We can’t dwell on the past result so we had to forget the result last game and keep on working,” said the veteran setter in Filipino. “Last game, we focused too much on what Khat Bell can do and we forgot about our team capabilities. So that’s what we have to do in the next round, we have to avoid thinking too much of our opponent’s tendency and just focus on our team.”

PLDT clinched a spot in Pool C with Creamline and Chery Tiggo, facing Pool B’s bottom three Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, and ZUS Coffee.

READ: PVL: PLDT moves to 3-0 with sweep of Nxled

Fajardo and Samoilenko are pleased with the momentum they regained heading into the second round, which begins Saturday.

“We needed this [winning] feeling again. This momentum is important,” said the  PLDT playmaker. “This game will be our basis on the things we need to adjust next game.”

“I want to wi.  I want my team to feel good. [I believe] we can win more, of course,” Samoilenko added. “Next game, of course, we’re ready, we need work a lot.”