EVEN PLDT’s High Speed Hitters were taken aback by the unique speed of Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University on the court.
No stranger to taking on Japanese coaches in the PVL, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort made it his first order of duty for his players to gauge how they will adapt and adjust to Kobe Shinwa’s flashy style of play.
READ: PLDT a step closer to PVL Invitational finals with sweep of Kobe
“‘Yung bilis nila from the start, pinatantsa ko agad sa kanila ‘yung pacing na hindi lang ‘yung rallies eh, pero ‘yung ang bilis nila mag-serve, ‘pagka-whistle, service agad,” Ricafort said.
“‘Yung mga rallies na normally mabagal lang sa’min, wala nang ganun kanina.”
Kobe Shinwa might’ve started strong and fast, but PLDT made sure to finish stronger and faster as it managed to pull off a record 11th consecutive league win with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 sweep in the 2025 PVL Invitational on Monday.
“Naging struggle lang namin sa kakaisip namin ng pacing nila, nag-slow start kami nung second set,” the champion coach said.
“Nu’ng kapag nasasabayan na namin ‘yung bilis nila, buti nung dulo kumapit, naging okay na.”
Just stay the course
A piece of advice from Ricafort on taking on the full-throttle Japanese side, with an average age of just 19 years old, is to stay patient and prepare to match or even outpace Kobe Shinwa.
“Ang pinaka-inanticipate namin is i-respect ‘yung laro ng Japan,” Ricafort said.
“In-anticipate na namin ‘yung mga long rallies, sobrang gandang floor defense, so ni-remind sa kanila ‘yung patience na na-test na kami nung mga nakaraan.
“Meron na kaming naging basis, pero kakaiba pa rin ‘yung ganitong experience. Happy kami na at least nakakuha kami ng win against Japan.”
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