PVL: After heartbreak, PLDT gears up for redemption tour

PLDT High Speed Hitters during a press launch ahead of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — As PLDT moves on from the controversial call that led to a heartbreaking finish in the Reinforced Conference, coach Rald Ricafort welcomes the PVL’s steps to improve its officiating ahead of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Philsports Arena.

The PVL and Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara revealed that Yul Benosa, the federation chairman of the referees’ commission, will be delegated to oversee the PVL and help improve the league’s officiating.

The PNVF will also tap foreign international referees from nearby countries like Thailand or Hong Kong in the best-of-three semifinals and finals to ensure neutral officiating.

READ: PVL: Still reeling, PLDT High Speed Hitters focus on healing first

“Siguro, kung ire-relate lang doon, never naman kami nag-question ng rules. Hindi naman question yun kung alam namin, ang mas naging question namin [was] kung pano na-handle yung situation. Doon naman umikot lahat eh from the protest nung after ng game. Kung ano yung nangyari during at after [the game],” Ricafort told reporters. 

“Siyempre hindi rin naman aabot ng ilang years yung players at saka kami [coaches] kung hindi namin alam yung rules. Hindi naman talaga yun yung kinukwestyon dito.”

In the Reinforced semifinal game between PLDT and Akari, the High Speed Hitters’ crucial video challenge for a net fault, which could have been a winning point, was deemed unsuccessful as the officials believed Ezra Madrigal had not committed a net fault with both her feet already on the floor and that the contact with the net was a second motion away from ball play with Oly Okaro already digging the ball.

Akari went on to pull off a comeback and entered the finals, sending PLDT to a heartbreaking exit. The High Speed Hitters’ protest was also denied with the league upholding its decision, citing the FIVB rulebook.

PLDT lauded the league’s steps to improve the officiating including a technical meeting on Tuesday.

“Wala din yung ganung meetings yung about sa referees ganyan, ngayon lang nagkaroon ng effort so ayun na, magmo-move on nalang tsaka at least may ganung steps na nagagawin para pag mangyari ulit, hindi na kasing-gulo nung nangyari last time.”

“Definitely, kasi yung outrage during and after mabigat. Mabigat eh. May efforts na palamigin agad pero sigurado dahil sa nangyari kaya nagkaroon ng ganitong changes,” he added.

The High Speed Hitters will be having their redemption season in the six-month-long tournament but Ricafort urged his players to stick to their main goal of going all the way to the top and not to dwell on their previous heartbreak.

READ: PVL: Cignal salvages Reinforced bronze after edging PLDT

“Doon sa mga sessions namin sa sports psych hindi pwedeng maging main focus. Actually, motivation itself, hindi naman siya pwedeng maging doon lang mag-center. Nandito kami dahil trabaho namin at gusto namin yung ginagawa namin, regardless nung nangyari,” said the PLDT coach. “Kailangan talaga magmove on at tsaka kailangan masanay kami na next time siguro na, ma-handle yung ganun situations.”

“Mag-move forward na pero definitely hindi naman kakalimutan yung ganung pangyayari.”

Team captain and libero Kath Arado agreed with her coach as they need to focus on their team’s progress with Rhea Dimaculangan bidding farewell, while Kianna Dy and setter Kim Fajardo still recovering from their respective injuries.

Savi Davison and Alas Pilipinas player Dell Palomota will be making their comeback to team up with Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Erika Santos, and Fiola Ceballos. 

“Dinadagdag nalang din namin siya as motivation namin sa team pero hindi siya pwedeng maging main [focus] kasi masyado siyang negative. Pero ginagawa namin siyang lesson sa team kasi siyempre pag mangyari ulit hindi lang sa amin or sa iba, at least alam na yung pwedeng gawin para hindi masyadong maapektuhan yung game, yung mental [health] ng players,” Arado said.

PLDT debuts on Tuesday next week against Nxled at Philsports Arena.