PLDT and head coach Rald Ricafort took a stunning 17-25, 22-25, 21-25 loss to import-less Cignal that put an end to their 15-game win streak.
READ: All-Filipino Cignal snaps PLDT's 15-game win streak
Despite seemingly being untouchable in the PVL for the last four months, Ricafort admitted how playing consistently actually still wasn't the High Speed Hitters’ strong suit.
“Wala naman kaming gustong maging excuse, pero may part din kasi ‘yung scheduling na kailangan namin mag-recover din at medyo bagalan yung intensity,” he said.
“Hindi talaga siya pwedeng pagdating sa game, alam niyo ‘yun, na bigla na lang magiging magic na gagalaw kami nang sobrang ganda. Hindi ko rin madahilan na mabigat kami, pero ganun ‘yung itsura na medyo stiff at medyo nagdadalawang-isip.”
Like any other streaking team in seasons past, PLDT paid no mind to the fact that they no longer have an unbeaten run to try and extend as the tournament runs its course.
It was a four-month stretch that had them win two titles and 15 games, but won’t matter in the slightest if even a small part of them would still be stuck in the past.
“Hindi namin ‘yun iniisip since ngayong conference. Nasa players naman ‘yun. Kapag kinakausap naman namin sila, hindi sa kanila nagma-matter yung naging winning streak,” said Ricafort.
“Ngayon na lang ulit kami nag-usap nang ganun na after the game, hindi namin gusto ‘yung resulta at ginalaw namin, at saka ‘yung feeling na galing talo at bakit ‘yun ‘yung ginalaw.
But by no means is Ricafort downplaying the significance of winning that many games and titles over the last few months.
“Naging blessed lang kami at sinuwerte rin kahit papaano du’n sa naging winning streak from the previous conference,” he added.
“Pero wala, tapos na talaga yun. Kayo lang naman ‘yung gustong mag-emphasize nu’n kasi maganda tignan. Pero sa team namin, dagdag pressure lang talaga ‘yun.”
Reality check comes calling for PLDT
The High Speed Hitters might still be learning the ropes when it comes to being the hunted team in a conference, but as early as now, there’s one thing they have already learned.
It’s how whatever goes up must eventually come down.
“Lagi naman naming nire-remind na win or lose, kailangan solid kami. Mas in-emphasize namin kanina ‘yung patience at ‘yung culture na mag-stick lang kami sa process talaga,’ Ricafort said.
“Sinwerte lang din kami na ‘yun ‘ung naging process namin for the past 15 games, pataas lahat. Pero hindi naman talaga siya magiging realidad ng buhay dahil kailangan rin naming bumaba. At least nangyari na siya ngayon, natanggal lahat ng pressure, kung anuman yung outside noise at distractions.”
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