PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Kath Arado during a PVL on Tour semifinals game against Creamline Cool Smashers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Almost will never be enough for captain Kath Arado and the PLDT High Speed Hitters as they look to finish their story in their first PVL finals appearance against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in a winner-take-all On Tour championship on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
After years of heartbreak, Arado–the heart and soul of the team–shed tears on the floor after PLDT completed a come-from-behind 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10 win over Creamline in the preseason semifinal on Tuesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: PVL on Tour: Savi Davison, PLDT eliminate Creamline to enter finals
Those setbacks, including a quarterfinal exit to Choco Mucho in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference and a Reinforced Conference semifinal loss to Akari–a five-setter remembered for a close call on an unsuccessful net fault challenge–fueled the High Speed Hitters to this moment.
“We’ve had so many ‘almost’ moments in the past. That’s where we’ve matured, because each of us owns up to our shortcomings, individually and as a team,” said Arado in Filipino.
Savi Davison and the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the PVL on Tour semifinals against Creamline Cool Smashers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“In training, we just take it one game at a time. We don’t look too far ahead or focus on the results. Our goal has always been to improve by looking back at what we lacked before and learning from that. That’s what motivated us this time.”
Arado’s steady floor defense teamed with Savi Davison’s 34-point explosion to lift PLDT past the 10-time champion Cool Smashers despite trailing 2-1 in sets.
She credited the victory to coach Rald Ricafort and his staff.
READ: Making most of AVC stint, Kath Arado flaunts steady defense
“Like coach said, since we were facing Creamline, everyone was really locked in, focused on the job. And it wasn’t just the players, even the coaches were like players themselves. We studied each of Creamline’s positions and tendencies really closely,” the former UE Lady Warrior said.
“Of course, we want to win, but so do they. That’s why the coaches kept reminding us to manage our emotions, not too high, not too low.”
Now in the finals, Arado wants to make the most of the chance, especially with PLDT nearly complete–except for Alas Pilipinas players Dell Palomata and Alleiah Malaluan–and healthy enough to win all seven games on their way to the gold medal match.
“We’re super thankful that we’re complete right now. Every time we train as a full team, it makes us really happy because in the past, injuries have been one of our biggest setbacks. That’s why it meant a lot when the coaches told us before the game that we were in good condition. We’ve really taken care of our bodies and practiced discipline, avoiding unnecessary risks. It’s been a full-team sacrifice,” Arado said.
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“This isn’t the final destination yet. We still have one more game to go.”