PLDT was forced to begin the PVL on Tour with three less stars on board.
For starters, its leading scorer in Fil-Canadian winger Savi Davison took an extended break after a lengthy run in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Alas Pilipinas duo of veteran middle blocker Dell Palomata and rookie spiker Alleiah Malaluan also had to sit out the preseason tournament which coincides with the FIVB national team calendar from May 16 to October 15.
READ PLDT High Speed Hitters rip Farm Fresh in fiery PVL on Tour debut
Although undermanned, but PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort isn’t worried one bit, confident in her team's ability to turn adversity into opportunity in the two-month PVL on Tour.
“Tine-take namin 'yung conference na 'to as a big challenge, knowing na hindi na naman kami kumpleto,” Ricafort said. “Sabi ko lang sa kanila, tingnan natin kung saan kami aabot this conference.
“Mabigat na feeling, pero [ang mahalaga] kung paano kami mag-respond sa magiging challenge this conference.”
Next woman up
In PLDT’s preseason-opening win over Farm Fresh, 22-year-old winger Kiesha Bedonia stepped up to the plate with 14 points and seven receptions.
It might just be their first match of the tour, but the former Far Eastern University standout bared the importance of being physically and mentally ready for a bigger responsibility she’ll be taking on for PLDT.
“Sobrang hirap po lalo na po mentally. Tuwing gabi po, lalo na these past few days, parang sobrang hirap kasi kinabukasan ipe-prepare mo ‘yung sarili mo sa mga gagawin mo inside the court,” Bedonia said.
“Pagbalik namin, nasabihan na ako ni coach [Rald] na i-prepare ko lang ‘yung sarili ko mentally and physically po kasi maraming umalis sa amin.
“Kaya doble din ‘yung training ko, doble rin ‘yung [paghahanda] ko sa physical and mental [states] ko.”
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