PLDT isn't putting much stock in being called the defending champion.
Not after the weight of that tag, and everything that has come with it, has seemingly turned into another distraction for the High Speed Hitters in a PVL Invitational campaign that has gone far from what they hoped for.
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For head coach Rald Ricafort, the championship label has instead created what he called a “reverse hype,” with PLDT finding itself having to deal with even more noise as its shock losses to Nxled and Ho Chi Minh raised questions about its title defense.
“Yung defending champion na title, ‘di siya relevant sa’min this conference kasi nare-reverse hype lang kami. Parang lalo lang kaming nadi-distract,” Ricafort said.
PLDT responded by getting back on track against Farm Fresh in four sets, but the High Speed Hitters head into their preliminary round finale against Creamline on Sunday knowing that a win alone will not automatically send them to the finals.
They will also need other results to fall their way if they are to secure one of the two championship berths and, with it, the chance to defend the crown Ricafort insists is no longer worth thinking about.
“Mas important sa’min ‘yung naka-respond kami coming from Nxled and ‘yung sa Vietnam na talo. Mabigat talaga for us dahil wala masyadong time para maka-recover, lalo mentally,” Ricafort said.
The immediate concern now is taking care of their own business, no matter how loud the outside noise gets.
“Sabi ko naman kanina before mag-start, kung ‘yun lang din ‘yung matututunan namin this conference, i-maximize na namin,” he said.
“Masyado lang din talagang maraming distractions from the outside maliban sa nilalaro ngayon, pero wala, ito ‘yung work kaya dapat i-focus talaga namin.”
That focus will be tested against a Creamline side loaded with weapons, including the imposing Jaja Santiago-Minowa.
But reigning MVP Savi Davison knows PLDT cannot afford to make Sunday's clash all about stopping one player.
“Tangkad siya [Jaja], tapos malakas siya talaga, pero it’s just another person on the court. We can’t just focus on one person because there’s so much talent on that team that you can’t really isolate one person like that,” Davison said.
“It’s an added talent, but lahat sila, they’re all good.”
And with both teams chasing a place in the finals, Davison expects little separating them when the ball goes up.
“It’s whoever comes wanting it more. It’s really up in the air. I feel like anyone can win that game," she said.
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