Ahead of the rematch, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort made sure the mental readiness of his players was in check.
The team was reminded to stay focused and not let any extra motivation or lingering emotions cloud their performance.
“We asked them how they felt, if there was extra motivation or not,” Ricafort was quoted as saying.
“But we reminded them, whatever that extra motivation is, they need to make sure the focus doesn’t slip. The real work is in staying sharp and doing the task at hand.”
He was alluding to the pain inflicted on them following a semifinal defeat at the hands of Akari in last year’s Reinforced Conference semifinals.
But for one of the team leaders, Majoy Baron, it was just another day in the office.
“I don’t really carry with me what happened last year with me. Our team is different now, and we’re just focused on the present,” she said.
“We approach every game the same, with the same energy, and keep our emotions level.”
Still it was a resounding victory for PLDT over Akari late Saturday night, posting an emphatic 25-22, 25-16, 25-15 win to boost the High Speed Hitters’ campaign in the ongoing PVL All Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena.
High Speed Hitters did not only silence the Chargers in just three sets, they also snapped a two-game skid to start the year and improve to 4-2.
Baron scored 11 points with a blistering 61 percent attacking efficiency. Meanwhile, Savi Davison, a key player missing from last year’s lineup, took the opportunity to introduce herself to this fierce rivalry with 15 points and six receptions.
Akari, meanwhile, was left scrambling without the presence of an ailing Grethcel Soltones, as only Faith Nisperos managed to make a double-digit impact with 11 points. Ivy Lacsina, who’s been a standout for the Chargers, was stifled to a conference-low six points in the loss.