PLDT will enter uncharted territory as the new barometer for success in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
For the first time in its four-year league run, the High Speed Hitters will carry their newfound championship pedigree in a bid to become only the second team to win three consecutive PVL tournaments.
It’s not quite a grand slam per se just yet, but winning a hat-trick of titles would be a welcome development for a team that never even made a league final until over two months ago.
With foreign guest players set to give teams facelifts in their respective title pursuits, is a PLDT ‘three-peat’ doable?
Preseason Finals MVP Mika Reyes says yes, but it’s going to take something extra from the two-time PVL champions to get it done.
“Kaya siyang gawin talaga [three-peat] pero yung effort and dedication ng bawat isa sa team, yun yung kailangan namin makuha,” Reyes said.
“Team game pa rin naman talaga at hindi lang pwedeng isa or dalawa yung mag-work kaya extra focus talaga yung hihilingin namin sa bawat isa.”
With that said, PLDT now faces an even tougher task of trying to do more with less time — again.
Only days separated their two title runs in August. Now, they’re in a different kind of race against time in terms of adequately preparing for import-laden play.
“Of course, nag-sink in na pero ngayon kasi, ang bilis lang ulit eh. After a few weeks, nagpa-practice ulit kami for Reinforced and then hinintay namin yung pagdating ni Nastia [Bavykina],” Reyes shared.
“Nagdo-double time rin talaga kami kasi marami pa kami kailangan i-work on especially inside the court.”
Start strong, finish stronger
Returning national team aces and erstwhile injured players will make the PVL Reinforced Conference a steep climb, even for PLDT.
At the end of it all, Reyes’ greatest hope is for the High Speed Hitters to stick the landing and find themselves in the best position possible.
“Kailangan ko pa rin i-doble yung effort especially now na marami na rin bumalik na players from other teams na talagang makakadagdag ng help sa kanila,” Reyes said.
“Dagdag challenge talaga for everybody, especially sa aming middle blockers, na may mga kalaban ng foreign players.
“Gusto ko lang matapos itong year na may magandang position. Lahat ng teams ngayon, gusto talaga mag-champion pero gusto ko lang din talaga na walang magkakaroon ng any injuries, major injuries sa amin and maging maganda yung result ng conference for us.”
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