The 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference proved to be a tough challenge for the F2 Logistics team.
After starting with a victory over Cignal in the pool play, the Cargo Movers experienced a downward spiral, suffering consecutive defeats to Creamline, PLDT, and Kurashiki, which dashed their hopes of reaching the gold medal match.
However, in a remarkable display of resilience, F2 Logistics rallied in their last match of the round-robin semifinals, securing a hard-fought win against Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam, with a score of 23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-20, and clinching a spot in the battle for the bronze medal.
On the upcoming Sunday, the Cargo Movers are set to face Cignal, where they will strive to secure a place on the prestigious podium.
Head coach Regine Diego candidly acknowledged that the three-game losing streak had taken its toll on the team, especially with their straight-set defeats to the High Speed Hitters and the Ablaze.
Adding to their challenges, F2 Logistics had to play the last three games without their star opposite spiker, Kianna Dy, who was sidelined due to a knee injury.
"It's been very hard for the team. We've experienced losses after losses, and it was particularly tough since Kianna has been injured," expressed Diego after the crucial victory.
"We tried every possible method to bring out their best performance. There's been a lot of preparation, but sometimes it falls short, and the team's morale becomes challenging to lift," she added.
Diego emphasized that while the team possesses the necessary skills and teamwork, it is the morale that can prove to be the greatest obstacle. This issue, however, is not unique to F2 Logistics and is faced by all teams at some point.
The coach firmly believes that enduring such challenges is a necessary part of the growth process and will ultimately strengthen the team for future conferences, with the goal of claiming the championship.
In the preceding All-Filipino Conference, the Cargo Movers settled for a bronze medal after defeating PLDT in two closely-contested matches.
Despite once again falling short of the championship, Diego maintains an optimistic outlook, firmly believing that the hardships faced in the PVL Invitational Conference will fortify the team for future competitions, molding them into even better players.
"Whatever happens, we win or we learn. That's very important for this team because we are still relatively new to the podium, and this is all part of what makes a champion," Diego asserted.
She further added, "If you don't experience these struggles, you may still have room for improvement. I'm happy that we're here because these struggles will make us stronger, shaping us into a better team than we were before."
As F2 Logistics gears up for the battle for the bronze medal, the team's unwavering determination and ability to overcome adversity serve as a testament to their tenacity and dedication to reaching greater heights in the world of volleyball. The future looks promising for the Cargo Movers, and they remain eager to rise above every challenge that comes their way.
