Latest news with #2024ReinforcedConference
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
PLDT savors maiden PVL crown as past heartaches finally turn to gold
The PLDT High Speed Hitters finally struck gold, ending years of frustration with a breakthrough PVL crown. The High Speed Hitters broke the curse by fending off Chery Tiggo in five grueling sets to rule the inaugural PVL On Tour on Sunday with a 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8 win at the Mall of Asia Arena. It was a long and tough journey for PLDT, which endured heartaches and near-misses in the past, before claiming a coveted PVL crown. "Hindi ako religious na tao pero inintindi ko lang na no'ng pinag-pray namin na tumibay 'yung team tsaka magkaro'n ng tapang [at] maging resilient, ang binigay sa amin na challenge ay 'yung na-experience namin from last year, 'yung mga sayang, 'yung mga heartbreaks," PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort. "Tinake ko na lang personally na nire-ready kami for ngayon." [I'm not a religious person but when we prayed for the team to be stronger and to have courage and be resilient, the challenge given to us was our experience from last year, the almosts, the heartbreaks... I took it personally that it was making us ready for this.] PLDT had long been a consistent force in the league, but despite fielding a star-studded squad led by Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Kim Fajardo, Kath Arado, and Svi Davison, the elusive title remained out of reach. They came close just last year, when the High Speed Hitters reached the semifinals of the 2024 Reinforced Conference against Akari and even held match point at 14-13. But a costly net touch challenge called by them mid-play fired back as it eventually allowed the Chargers to eke out the win. That loss, however, was used as motivation by PLDT. "Actually nawala na talaga sa isip namin 'yun kasi nga hindi kami pwedeng mag-dwell sa loss na 'yun, sa heartache na 'yun. Motivation siya sa amin na kailangan pa naming i-improve," team captain and libero Kath Arado added. "Kasi hindi naman namin pwedeng isisi lang sa isang side, may kasalanan din kami sa part na 'yun e. Kailangan lang talaga namin i-improve 'yung sarili." [Actually, it was not in our heads because we can't dwell on that loss, on that heartache. It's motivation for us that we need to improve... We can't just blame it on one side, we have our fault in that part also. We just really need to improve ourselves.] Last All-Filipino Conference, PLDT fell twice to Choco Mucho in their best-of-three quarterfinals to bow out of contention despite finishing the preliminary round at fourth spot. But they came back stronger this time with the usual suspects leading the way against an equally-hungry Chery Tiggo, who was eager to quench its four-year title drought. In all, PLDT endured three fourth-place finishes and five fifth-place showings before finally breaking the dry spell on Sunday. "I think 'yung lagi lang na sinasabi ng coaches at players na maging present talaga the whole game kasi hindi naman 'to basta-basta na ibibigay ng opponent," Reyes said. "And kahit na two sets ahead kami, hindi namin inisip na makukuha namin 'to agad so sobrang thankful kami na kinapitan talaga namin 'yung bawat isa." [I think, what the coaches and players always say that we should be present the whole game because the opponents are not going to just give this to us... And even when we were two sets ahead, we weren't thinking that we would be able to get this right away, so we're so thankful that we really stuck together.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Michelle Cobb appointed as Akari's assistant manager after retirement from volleyball
Retired volleyball player Michelle Cobb is now taking a leadership role in her club, the Akari Chargers. The team confirmed Cobb's appointment as an assistant manager on Thursday, a day after the veteran setter announced her retirement from competitive play. "We're so excited to have you continue contributing your wisdom and leadership to the team," Akari said. Cobb on Wednesday said she is "retiring with a grateful heart, proud of everything this journey has given me." As part of the Chargers, Cobb was able to guide players like Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, Celine Domingo, and Ivy Lacsina and would help the franchise reach its first-ever finals appearance during the 2024 Reinforced Conference. Prior to Akari, the De La Salle University standout also played with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
