PVL: PLDT vows to push harder in playoffs after 'frustrating' pool stage showing

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Mika Reyes and the PLDT High Speed Hitters. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— Mika Reyes and her PLDT coach PLDT head coach George Pascua hope the High Speed Hitters will live up to the expectations in the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.

After dropping its first two games in Pool B, PLDT ended the elimination round with a convincing 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 victory over BaliPure on Wednesday at Paco Arena.

The High Speed Hitters, who made a major recruitment coup in the off season, only won one of their three Pool B games and will face the winner of F2 Logistics-Choco Mucho, which will earn the No.2 seed in Pool A and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Reyes, who led the High Speed Hitters’ first win with 11 points off seven attacks, three blocks and an ace said her team will prepare hard whichever team they face–either her former club F2 Logistics or Choco Mucho, which composed of her ex collegiate rivals from Ateneo.

“Whether who we face in the quarterfinals, we will work hard since the teams from their group are playing at a high level,” said the star middle blocker. “We can’t afford to be complacent. We have to push harder in our trainings.”

Pascua, who took the coaching reins last January, admitted his retooled roster is still working on their chemistry but he is confident they will give a good fight in the quarters despite the twice-to-beat disadvantage.

“For me, we’re still in the experimental stage since we’re just training for one and a half month,” said the veteran coach after their first victory.

“We will keep on fighting. The quarterfinals is a different story. And I’m glad that we got this win, which will boost our morale and give us motivation to keep on fighting.”

Reyes admitted their first two losses were frustrating but she also understood that her team is still a work in progress.

“Personally it was frustrating. But we have to match the high level of play this conference. We have to build our team chemistry,” Retes said. “It’s a good thing that it happened. It’s a wake-up call. We learned the things that we have to change and adjust especially our chemistry.”