Rald Ricafort urges PLDT to stay “hungry” after winning back-to-back PVL titles

PLDT’s long years of frustration in the Premier Volleyball League have finally turned into triumph. After a decade of chasing glory without success, the High Speed Hitters are now rewriting their story—emerging as one of the league’s newest dynasties-in-the-making.

On Sunday, August 31, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, PLDT overcame a slow start to topple Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University, 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18, clinching the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference title in front of a roaring crowd. This marked the franchise’s second championship in just two weeks, following their breakthrough victory in the PVL On Tour.

With PLDT now the team to beat, head coach Rald Ricafort acknowledged the challenge ahead, urging his squad to stay hungry and focused.

Coach Rald Ricafort shares how using his tablet during games helps him maintain an objective perspective on his players, allowing him to set aside emotions and focus on the next steps for the PLDT High Speed Hitters.#OSOnTheSpot #PVL2025 #PVLInvitational #TheHeartofVolleyball pic.twitter.com/NDSI73O7aQ

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) August 28, 2025

“Moving forward, kailangan talaga namin i-face ‘yung conference na kami ‘yung nagugutom pa rin. The hard part now is not getting comfortable. A lot of teams make it big and then kind of fall off. Our job is to keep pushing forward and not look back,” Ricafort said in a media interaction.

Ricafort, who joined PLDT from the Petro Gazz Angels nearly three years ago, has been credited with completely overhauling the club’s system and culture. With the core of the team largely intact, he is eager to build on their recent success and maintain momentum.

“Wala talaga siyang assurance kung gaano kami katagal magsasama-sama. Ang importante, susulitin natin kung sino ‘yung nandiyan,” he added.

Now joining an elite circle of multi-titled teams alongside Creamline and Petro Gazz, PLDT’s journey from “heartbreak kids” to champions signals the rise of a new PVL powerhouse. The question is no longer whether the High Speed Hitters can win—but how long they can stay on top.

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