SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela — Two losses jolted PLDT awake. Two wins later, the High Speed Hitters are beginning to look like the championship contender they were expected to be.
After stumbling out of the gates in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series, PLDT has clawed its way back to an even 2-2 record, stretching its resurgence with a quick 25-20, 25-18, 25-16 sweep of ZUS Coffee on Thursday in the league's historic first trip to Santiago City.
READ: PLDT powers through ZUS Coffee for back-to-back wins
The turnaround has been fueled by a renewed sense of urgency, with PLDT recognizing that every game could prove crucial in its bid to secure a spot in the top four.
For Kianna Dy, the back-to-back losses that opened PLDT’s campaign may have dampened their spirits, but they never extinguished the team’s fire and desire.
“I can say na [the two losses were] bad, but it's like the two losses were a wake-up call for us, especially in this conference na important talaga 'yung points and important to make it to the top four,” Dy said.
“For us, it's like a do-or-die na every game, like we should like give our all.”
PLDT responded with back-to-back victories, both coming with deputy coach Arnold Laniog calling the shots in place of head coach Rald Ricafort, who remains under the weather and did not make the team's trip up north.
Even without Ricafort on the sidelines, the High Speed Hitters have steadily rediscovered their rhythm, with assistant coach Manolo Refugia seeing the team's fighting spirit return after a difficult start.
“Talagang na-down kami before, nu’ng games na consecutive na talo, so masaya naman na bumalik ulit 'yung 'yung fire ng lahat, coaching staff, ng ng players para maka-balik ulit sa track namin," Refugia said.
PLDT record all even
That renewed energy was evident against the Thunderbelles, but the High Speed Hitters know that recovering from an 0-2 start is only half the battle.
With their record now back at .500, the next challenge is sustaining their recovery and building the consistency needed to contend for a place among the conference's top teams.
“Nakukuha na namin 'yung groove. Ang challenge na ngaon is paano maging consistent, paano ma-maintain 'yung ganitong porma na nakuha namin,” Refugia said.
“We just have to remember who we are kasi sa training okay naman kami gumalaw, and I feel like we just need a little more push inside the game and we should want it more as a team talaga," Dy added.
The High Speed Hitters have erased the sting of their winless opening stretch and put themselves back in the hunt. Now comes the harder part: proving that their latest surge is the start of a sustained championship push, not just a brief return to form.
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