Rald Ricafort, the head coach of PLDT, faced his former team, Petro Gazz, in a five-set thriller on Thursday night in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference. Despite a tough match, Ricafort's team came out victorious, extending their winning streak to three games.
Ricafort, who led Petro Gazz to the Reinforced Conference title last December, expressed his joy in winning against his former team. However, his focus was on using the experience and learnings he gained from his previous stint with Petro Gazz in helping PLDT's rebuild.
"I'm happy that, in a way, we were able to contribute to the team using what we learned from Petro Gazz before," Ricafort shared after the match.
The coach's previous stint with Petro Gazz proved beneficial during the game as the High Speed Hitters only had a day to prepare for the match after their previous game against Chery Tiggo last Tuesday. Ricafort expressed his gratitude towards his team, stating that they were coachable, making the transition easier.
Michelle Morente and Mean Mendrez proved their worth, scoring 21 points each to help PLDT defeat Petro Gazz, 21-25, 31-29, 25-21, 21-25, 15-13, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. Defensive specialist Kath Arado also played a crucial role, registering 40 excellent digs and 20 excellent receptions.
The win was significant for PLDT as they continue to rebuild their team, with Ricafort's guidance. The coach hopes to make his former team proud and lead his current team to success in the league.
"Thankful kami talaga na nagkaroon ulit ng panalo ngayon," Ricafort said, expressing his gratitude for the team's victory.
As PLDT's rebuilding process continues, the team's win against Petro Gazz signifies a step forward toward their goal of success in the Premier Volleyball League.
