PLDT had no time to celebrate its first franchise title.
It had just four days of rest before opening its 2025 PVL Invitational campaign against the same team it beat for the preseason title in Chery Tiggo.
And in its first post-championship match 96 hours since lifting a maiden PVL trophy, PLDT routed Chery Tiggo in a 25-16, 25-14, 25-20 sweep in a quick contest that last for just one hour and 25 minutes.
READ: PLDT sweeps Chery Tiggo in impressive PVL Invitational opener
The High Speed Hitters’ championship hangover didn’t come in the form of playing poorly or with signs of rust.
More than anything, it’s the fatigue that had the better of them and even the Crossovers in PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort’s view.
“'Yun 'yung pinakamahirap, kasi hindi lang sa players nafi-feel 'yung pagod, e. Pero 'yun talaga 'yung word, trabaho 'to e,” Ricafort said.
“Regardless, kailangan namin mag-switch du’n sa mode na kailangan pa rin trabahuhin, ibigay na lang talaga 'yung best kaysa maka-feel pa kami ng negative.
“Kita niyo rin naman kanina, hirap na rin talaga gumalaw both sides, kahit si Chery. Iba talaga 'yung pagod, so happy kami na kahit papaano, nairaos namin.”
Led by pro league debutant Alleiah Malaluan’s 11-point, 13-dig double-double, PLDT flexed its depth with the likes of Jessey de Leon, Kiesha Bedonia and Shiela Kiseo stepping up to the plate.
Ricafort, however, still needs to bring out more from his second unit and can’t rely solely on what he saw tonight.
“Mahirap gawing basis kasi 'yun nga, nabanggit nga kanina na pagod na talaga,” Ricafort said.
“Happy lang talaga at proud na nag-perform 'yung hindi gaanong nagamit nung finals, at least, with Jov, Kiesha, and Alleiah nakapag-perform, si Jessey din pala ganda rin ng game kanina.
“Itong Thursday talaga 'yung pinaka-mahirap since four days lang. Ang usapan, dapat complete na kami by Saturday, so at least maka-full lineup na kami.”
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