PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort has never been one to buy into the hype whenever his team strings together a strong run.
Even last year during the buildup to their twin title runs, Ricafort kept the spotlight at arm’s length, preferring the High Speed Hitters to mute the hype before eventually delivering championships in both the PVL on Tour and Invitational Conference.
The same approach holds true this time around.
One step closer
PLDT currently sits alone atop the standings at 6-1 in the season-opening All-Filipino Conference with two games left in the preliminary round. One more win would seal a spot in the four-team qualifying round, where an outright semifinals berth will be at stake.
But while that scenario is already within reach, Ricafort isn’t getting too caught up in it.
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“Wini-wish namin na umabot kami ng top 4, pero para isipin pa namin, parang dagdag pressure pa, dagdag hype na naman na hindi naman kailangan,” said Ricafort.
“Kung ano ‘yung next na kalaban namin, dapat du’n lang mag-focus.”
For Ricafort, clearing one hurdle doesn’t mean the job is anywhere near finished.
In this year’s tournament format, teams could still face each other multiple times on the road to the championship, making every outing valuable even against opponents they have already encountered.
“At the same time, hindi porket nakalaban na namin, kakalimutan na namin ‘yung mga natutunan dahil may chance na makalaban namin sila ulit kaya every game ay very important pa rin,” he added.
With just weeks left before the modified qualifying round begins, PLDT remains within striking distance of the mini-tournament.
The High Speed Hitters still have to navigate their remaining matches against Choco Mucho and Nxled to clinch the spot outright. And for Ricafort, looking too far ahead could only derail the bigger goal of chasing a third title.
“‘Yung feeling, hindi nga ‘yung malapit na matapos ‘yung elims kasi ang bibigat pa ng remaining games namin,” said Ricafort.
“Sabi nga namin sa players, mahirap nga tumingin nang sobrang layo at one game at a time lang talaga. Happy kami na nairaos namin ‘to ngayon kasi sabak agad ulit kami sa Sabado.”
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