PLDT High Speed Hitters are taking a measured approach to the offseason as they prepare for the upcoming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour preseason conference, with recovery and regeneration taking center stage following a breakthrough campaign in the recently concluded All-Filipino Conference.
Fresh off securing the franchise’s first-ever podium finish in a regular PVL conference with a bronze-medal performance, the High Speed Hitters have temporarily shifted their focus away from the court. Instead of immediately diving back into intense training, the team is emphasizing physical recovery, mental rejuvenation, and personal time before resuming preparations for another challenging season.
Head coach Ralf Ricafort stressed that allowing the players adequate time to rest is a crucial part of the team’s long-term development, especially after months of rigorous training and competition.
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“We highly prioritise the balance between the work that we put in since the preseason and the rest needed after every conference. I might try streaming One Piece on Netflix,” Ricafort said in a media interaction.
Ricafort believes that proper recovery is just as important as the work done inside the gym, noting that giving players the opportunity to recharge physically and mentally helps sustain performance over the course of a demanding volleyball calendar.
For veteran setter Kim Fajardo, the offseason serves as more than just a break from volleyball. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the previous conference, assess individual growth, and prepare mentally for the next challenge.
“It’s a time for self-realization,” Fajardo said.
PVL ON TOUR 2026 IS ALMOST HERE!
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Outside hitter Kiesha Bedonia echoed the importance of taking care of the body after an exhausting campaign, emphasizing that recovery does not necessarily mean complete inactivity.
“We need to prioritize sleep, do light movements like walking and stretching,” Bedonia added.
The emphasis on recovery reflects a growing understanding among professional athletes that quality rest is essential in maintaining peak performance, preventing injuries, and extending longevity throughout a lengthy season.
For opposite hitter Jessey De Leon, stepping away from volleyball also means reconnecting with another passion. A licensed architect, De Leon finds balance by immersing herself in creative projects whenever she has the opportunity.
“I really enjoy doing creative work whenever I feel inspired – it helps me reset and feel like myself again outside of the sport,” De Leon said.
While the players enjoy a well-earned break, PLDT’s management has remained active in strengthening the roster ahead of the preseason tournament and the upcoming PVL season.
The High Speed Hitters bolstered their offensive depth by bringing in experienced opposite spiker Jessa Ordiales while also investing in young talent through the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft. The club selected former University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) standout Fianne Ariola with the eighth overall pick, adding another promising attacker to an already competitive lineup.
PLDT also addressed additional areas of its roster by acquiring former Galeries Tower Highrisers standout Winnie Bedana and outside hitter Joan Monares, moves that provide the coaching staff with added versatility and depth heading into the preseason.
The offseason additions reflect the organization’s determination to build on the momentum generated by its historic bronze-medal finish. After finally breaking through for a podium finish in a regular PVL conference, the High Speed Hitters are looking to transform that success into sustained contention.
With a healthier, deeper roster and an offseason centered on recovery before returning to competition, PLDT hopes to enter the PVL On Tour preseason conference refreshed, recharged, and ready to continue its upward trajectory.
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