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Tag: Rald Ricafort

  • Rald Ricafort to receive PVL Coach of the Year honors after PLDT’s breakthrough season

    Rald Ricafort to receive PVL Coach of the Year honors after PLDT’s breakthrough season

    After steering the High Speed Hitters to a flawless championship run across the season’s first two conferences, Ricafort is set to be honored as Coach of the Year at the upcoming second PVL Press Corps Awards Night on May 30.


    The High Speed Hitters stormed through the inaugural PVL on Tour without dropping a match, securing the franchise’s first professional championship before carrying that momentum into the Invitationals. 

     

    By the end of the run, PLDT had built an impressive 15-game winning streak — a stretch that established the club as one of the league’s new standard-bearers.

     

    Ricafort’s influence extended beyond tactics. Under his leadership, PLDT evolved into one of the PVL’s most disciplined and balanced teams after previously struggling to sustain deep playoff success. 

     

    The veteran coach collected 11 total points in the Coach of the Year voting, drawing an average of 7.8 media votes and 3.2 team votes to finish ahead of former Cignal mentor Shaq Delos Santos and Sherwin Meneses of Creamline.

     

    His steady climb with the franchise became more evident throughout the season. PLDT first secured a fourth-place finish in the Reinforced Conference before capturing its first-ever bronze medal in the All-Filipino Conference, signaling that the team’s championship breakthrough was no longer a one-conference surprise but part of a larger progression.

     

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    Still, while PLDT emerged as the season’s biggest riser, the recent conference champion, Creamline Cool Smashers once again reminded the league why their dynasty continues to define the PVL era.

     

    After enduring one of the rarest dips in their dominant run, the Cool Smashers answered every question about their staying power by reclaiming the spotlight with their 11th championship. 

     

    That resilience earned Creamline its second straight Team of the Year award at the annual rites. Cool Smashers finished with 10.4 total points in the voting, 6.0 from media members, and 4.4 from team votes which is comfortably ahead of both PLDT and Cignal.

     

    For perhaps the first time in years, the Cool Smashers entered a conference without the aura of inevitability. The rest of the league had caught up considerably, with deeper rosters, stronger imports, and more organized systems challenging Creamline’s long-standing supremacy.

     

    Even with the return of stars like Bernadeth Pons, Jia de Guzman, and Jema Galanza, the road back to the top was anything but smooth. Creamline found itself pushed into multiple do-or-die situations during the 2026 All-Filipino Conference, while Cignal repeatedly threatened to break the team’s grip on the title.

     

    But when the pressure intensified, the Cool Smashers leaned on the championship composure built through years of winning.

     

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  • Hard road led PLDT to bronze as Rald Ricafort highlights grit in tough season 

    Hard road led PLDT to bronze as Rald Ricafort highlights grit in tough season 

    It wasn’t the ending they initially chased, but for PLDT, the road to bronze in the PVL All-Filipino Conference became a defining chapter shaped by resilience and survival in what head coach Rald Ricafort described as one of the toughest fields in recent memory.


    The High Speed Hitters closed their campaign the hard way, overpowering the Farm Fresh Foxies in a grueling five-set duel, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-5, to sweep their best-of-three bronze series. 

     

    It was their second straight five-set victory over the Foxies, underscoring not just depth but a growing identity as a team that thrives under pressure.

     

    For Ricafort, the bronze medal represented more than a podium finish. It was validation of growth after falling short in the semifinal round. 

     

    “Napakalakas ng lahat ng kalaban, lalo this conference. Napakalakas na nagbalikan ‘yung mga national team [members] at naka-merge nila ‘yung ibang teams,” Ricafort said.

     

    PLDT entered the playoffs as one of the favorites after finishing the elimination round on top with a 7-2 record. But the semifinals proved unforgiving, as the High Speed Hitters stumbled to a 1-2 slate and were pushed to the brink before even reaching the battle for bronze.

     

    What followed was a pair of physically and mentally taxing wins. PLDT not only secured the series but reinforced its dominance over the Foxies, winning 10 of their 11 meetings in the 2026 All-Filipino conference, including all three five-set encounters.

     

    “Napakahirap. ‘Yun nga, hindi man namin nakuha ‘yung pinaka-goal na mag-Finals, pero ibibigay ko sa players ang commendation na nilaban ’to kahit papaano. Thankful kami, milestone pa rin na nakuha namin ‘yung third this time. Napakahirap nitong ginagawa namin, at least kahit papaano nakuha namin ‘yung bronze,” the veteran coach said.

     

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    The final match showcased PLDT’s balance. Libero Kath Arado anchored the defense with 28 excellent digs and 21 receptions, even chipping in a point to earn Best Player of the Game honors along with her sixth Best Libero Award in the PVL.

     

    At the net, Kim Kianna Dy powered through with 21 points, highlighted by six blocks, while Savi Davison delivered across all fronts with 20 points and 10 digs.

     

    Meanwhile, Farm Fresh leaned on Trisha Tubu’s 23 points, with Ces Molina adding 12 and support from Riri Meneses, Mylene Paat, and Royse Tubino, who contributed nine points each—but ultimately fell short in the decisive fifth set.

     

    Beyond the numbers, Ricafort pointed to a deeper takeaway: cohesion remains a work in progress, even for a team that just reached its best finish.

     

    “Marami pang kailangang makilala sa isa’t isa. Happy ako na kahit papaano may natuntong kami this conference,” he said. 

     

    In a season defined by parity, returning stars, and reshaped rosters, PLDT didn’t just survive—it adapted. And in doing so, the High Speed Hitters turned what could have been a disappointment into a benchmark for what they can build on next.

     

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  • From rival colors to same side of the court: Real-life couple Myla Pablo and Rald Ricafort reunite on PVL’s All-Star stage 

    From rival colors to same side of the court: Real-life couple Myla Pablo and Rald Ricafort reunite on PVL’s All-Star stage 

    The 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase is already loaded with storylines, but few carry the same mix of sport and personal intrigue as the pairing inside Team Heart.


    As PLDT High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort prepares to steer a star-laden roster in Candon City on May 1, he will be sharing the same competitive space with real-life partner Nxled’s standout Myla Pablo but not as opponents this time, but as part of the same All-Star team.

     

    Even though Ricafort’s PLDT High Speed Hitters fell short of reaching the Final Round of the PVL All-Filipino Conference, their overall body of work still spoke volumes. It was their dominant run in the preliminary round—finishing at the top of the standings with a 7–2 win-loss record that ultimately solidified Ricafort’s appointment as head coach of Team Heart. 

     

    Meanwhile, Pablo earned her spot in the reserve pool of Team Heart after a multi-sector selection process that included coaches, players, officials, and media representatives, cementing her place among the league’s most recognized names for the exhibition showcase.

     

    The selection brings her alongside elite company, including Alyssa Valdez, Jia De Guzman, Jema Galanza, and other league mainstays forming a balanced mix of veterans and rising stars.

     

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    What has added an unexpected layer to her All-Star appearance is the public attention surrounding her personal life. Pablo recently posted a photo with Ricafort on her social media account, a move widely interpreted by fans as a confirmation of a long-rumored relationship. 

     

    The post quickly circulated online, drawing a wave of reactions and turning what was already a sporting headline into a trending off-court moment.

     

    On the court side, however, both arrive with different competitive contexts. Pablo’s Nxled Chameleons missed out on a semifinals berth in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference after a loss to Farm Fresh, closing their campaign earlier than hoped. 

     

    On the other hand, Ricafort’s PLDT High Speed Hitters squad stayed in the title conversation with a strong semifinal run and a pending bronze medal series against Farm Fresh in a best-of-three battle for third place.

     

    The All-Star setting now creates a rare crossover, a coach leading the league’s top talents while one of those talents happens to be his real-life partner. 

     

    It’s a dynamic that doesn’t change the structure of the game, but undeniably adds narrative weight to Team Heart’s already star-heavy rotation.

     

    Beyond the headlines, the league itself continues to frame the showcase as a celebration of balance—fan voting, technical selection, and committee input shaping the final roster of Team Heart and Team Hustle.

     

    But in a sport often defined by rival colors and fierce club allegiances, this year’s edition adds something more personal which are familiarity on opposite ends of coaching and playing roles, now converging under one banner.

     

     

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  • Rald Ricafort, Shaq delos Santos, Tai Bundit, and Sydney Calderon officially set to coach Volleyball All-Star Showcase

    Rald Ricafort, Shaq delos Santos, Tai Bundit, and Sydney Calderon officially set to coach Volleyball All-Star Showcase

    Momentum from the ongoing season is carrying straight into the spotlight, as the Premier Volleyball League and Spikers’ Turf tap their top-performing tacticians to lead the charge in the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase on May 1 in Candon City.


    In the PVL side, Rald Ricafort of the PLDT High Speed Hitters has been entrusted with Team Heart, while Shaq delos Santos of the Cignal HD Spikers will call the shots for Team Hustle. 

     

    Their selection reflects not just their teams’ records, but their consistent ability to steer winning systems in a tightly contested conference.

     

    Ricafort guided PLDT to a league-best 7-2 finish in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference preliminaries, with Cignal close behind at 6-3 under delos Santos. 

     

    Fittingly, the two coaches are set to face each other again—this time in a high-stakes semifinal clash on April 16 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, adding another layer of intrigue before they share the All-Star stage.

     

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    On the men’s side, dominance defined the selections. Tai Bundit of the Criss Cross King Crunchers will handle Team Passion after steering his squad to a flawless 10-0 record in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference. 

     

    Meanwhile, Sydney Calderon of the Savouge Spin Doctors takes charge of Team Power following an 8-2 campaign.

     

    Unlike their PVL counterparts, Bundit and Calderon will not meet in the semifinals of Spikers’ Turf Open Conference. The Spin Doctors are set to battle the AEP Cabstars, while Criss Cross squares off against the Alpha Insurance Protectors which are both scheduled on April 10 at the FilOil Centre.

     

    Beyond coaching matchups, attention now shifts to the fans as voting for All-Star starters remains open until April 11, with the official lineup to be revealed on Monday, April 13. 

     

    The remaining seven reserve spots will be determined through a multi-sector voting process involving coaches, players, team officials, referees, broadcast personnel, and media, with final results set for release on April 20.

     

    As the postseason heats up, the All-Star selections serve as both recognition and preview—a gathering of the league’s brightest minds and talents, shaped by the intensity of a season still unfolding.

     

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  • Rald Ricafort, Shaq Delos Santos lead race for coaching spotlight in PVL All-Star Game

    Rald Ricafort, Shaq Delos Santos lead race for coaching spotlight in PVL All-Star Game

    While fan voting has begun to shape the spotlight for the PVL All-Star Game, another compelling storyline is quietly taking form behind the scenes on who will call the shots from the sidelines. 


    As the first week of voting shows the result last March 22, the league’s brightest stars are leading the polls, but it is the success of teams in the preliminary round that is expected to determine the head coaches for the much-anticipated Team Heart versus Team Hustle clash.

     

    With the preliminary phase now in the books and the league moving into the play-in and qualifying rounds, attention shifts to the standings—where the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Cignal Super Spikers have emerged as the top two teams in the preliminary round. 

     

    PLDT secured the No. 1 spot with a 7-2 record under head coach Rald Ricafort, while Cignal followed closely at 6-3, guided by veteran tactician Shaq Delos Santos. These two coaches are in prime position to take charge of the All-Star squads.

     

    But beyond standings, this potential coaching duel represents a meeting of two different yet equally accomplished journeys. 

     

    Ricafort has steadily built a reputation for adaptability and success, becoming the first PVL coach to win championships with two different teams, first with Petro Gazz in the 2022 Reinforced Conference and later with PLDT in 2025. 

     

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    His current squad’s consistency this season only strengthens the idea that he could bring that same winning system into the All-Star stage.

     

    On the other side is Delos Santos, whose experience stretches across multiple leagues and generations of players. Aside from steering Cignal’s strong campaign since 2021, he also balances duties in the collegiate scene, currently handling UST in the UAAP. His return to the university program carries historical weight, having last delivered a championship for the school in Season 72 back in 2010. 

     

    A four-time champion coach in the PSL, Delos Santos brings a wealth of experience that could prove invaluable in managing an All-Star lineup filled with elite talent.

     

    What makes this year’s All-Star format more intriguing is the level of influence given to the coaches. While fans determine the starters through voting, coaches will have a direct hand in shaping the rest of the roster, from selecting reserve players alongside a committee to organizing rotations and strategies during the game. 

     

    They are also tasked with appointing assistant coaches, further extending their imprint on the team’s identity. The format ensures a balance between fan engagement and competitive integrity.

     

    Starters voted by fans will open the match and play until a set point threshold, after which reserves will take over, guaranteeing equal exposure for all selected players. In the final set, coaches will be given full control of substitutions, allowing them to experiment and manage the flow of the game.

     

    With voting running from March 15 to April 11 and the All-Star event set for May 1 at the Candon City Arena, the race is not just about which players make the cut—but also which coaching minds will be entrusted to lead them.

     

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  • “MVP candidate this season”: Ralf Ricafort, Kianna Dy laud Bella Belen following PVL clash

    “MVP candidate this season”: Ralf Ricafort, Kianna Dy laud Bella Belen following PVL clash

    If the early stretch of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference is any indication, PLDT is determined to prove that sustained success does not hinge on a single superstar.

     

    Instead, the High Speed Hitters are carving out an identity rooted in depth, balance, and defensive discipline — a formula that is beginning to pay dividends.

     

    On Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, PLDT delivered another statement performance, dispatching Capital1 in four sets, 25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17. The victory marked their second straight win to open the conference and reinforced the impression that their earlier dismantling of defending powerhouse Creamline was no mere early-season anomaly.

     

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    The victory underscored head coach Rald Ricafort’s emphasis on sustainability — a system built to withstand pressure and adapt mid-match rather than crumble when a single player is contained.

     

    Still, the night belonged in many ways to Capital1’s rising star, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) standout Bella Belen.

     

    Belen exploded for a conference-best 28 points, showcasing her all-around arsenal that included 12 receptions. Through three games, she is averaging an eye-popping 25.67 points per outing — elite production by any standard, especially for a young player navigating the professional ranks.

     

    Her performance kept Capital1 competitive, particularly in the third set where her scoring burst sparked a rally that extended the match. Whether attacking from the wings, scoring from the back row, or contributing in out-of-system plays, Belen displayed the poise and versatility that have quickly made her one of the league’s most talked-about talents.

    Ricafort acknowledged that neutralizing Belen was a primary focus of PLDT’s game plan.

     

    “Yun nga eh. ‘Yun talaga nilook-forward namin today na i-try talaga bawasan si Bella. Pero siyempre, credit pa rin sa kanya dahil nandun talaga ‘yung skill eh. Kumpleto laro, passing, out-of-system. Parang nakarami siyang points backrow pa, so siya talaga ‘yun. Bigay namin ‘yun sa kanya,” Ricafort said in the post-match press conference.

     

    The veteran tactician even went a step further, openly labeling Belen as a legitimate Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate.

     

    “Nung huling beses ko siya na-congratulate, Bella Bytsenko ang tawag ko sa kanya. Ganyan talaga magiging season niya. For sure, MVP candidate talaga siya this season,” he added.

     

    PLDT star Kim Kianna Dy echoed her coach’s sentiments, pointing to Belen’s evident growth and composure on the court.

     

    “I guess I feel like mas mature siya ngayon. Very calm na siya inside, dinadala na niya yung teammates niya. Ang likot ng bola niya. Madaming daan yung bola niya, so mahirap talagang i-block. Kita naman sa 28 points niya, we prepared for her also. Alam naman na Bella will be given a lot of balls. Ayun, 28 points nga siya,” Dy said.

     

    Dy’s assessment highlighted what makes Belen particularly dangerous — not just her scoring totals, but the unpredictability of her attacks and her ability to lead her team despite heavy defensive attention.

     

    le Belen’s heroics commanded attention, PLDT’s broader message was clear: they are building a team capable of contending deep into the conference.

     

     

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