High Speed Hitters get chance to give back to fans in On Tour

Rald Ricafort: I think the On Tour is a great initiative. —PVLIMAGES

With this year’s PVL On Tour now labeled as a showcase more than anything else, PLDT will come into the event that gets going on Wednesday as a former champion now just wanting to get closer to its fans as the event plays in different parts of the country.

Now a purely preseason showdown between the squads. the High Speed Hitters will miss the chance to defend their breakthrough title. Instead, coach Rald Ricafort, said the coming stint will help them build up for the Invitational, which they also ruled last year, and Reinforced Conference.

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“We’ll just treat it as the first tournament on our calendar (just the same),” Ricafort told the Inquirer in Filipino as the PVL will not be calling it a tournament in the strictest sense to satisfy an FIVB rule on holding official events at this time of the year. “It’s also a big help in preparing and building momentum for the Invitationals and the

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Reinforced Conference.

“So far, we’re close to getting the team back to full strength,” he added. “The players who were dealing with injuries and had limited court time are steadily returning. Even our new players are adjusting well. Hopefully, everyone stays healthy heading into the On Tour.”

Ricafort said they are looking forward to giving back to the fans from different provinces as they play Choco Mucho on July 25 in Vigan City, ZUS Coffee in Santiago, Isabela on Aug. 8 and Akari in Lanao Del Norte on Aug. 15.

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“I think the On Tour is a great initiative, especially for the fans. It gives them the chance to watch the teams live when they would normally only see us on TV or on their phones,” Ricafort said. “It’s also a way for us to give back through fan activities like meet-and-greets. Hopefully, it also inspires young players who dream of reaching the collegiate and professional levels someday.”

With the core of Savi Davison, Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Alleiah Malaluan, Kim Fajardo and Kath Arado, PLDT swept last year’s On Tour and Invitational.

They placed fourth in the Reinforced and won bronze in the All-Filipino Conference last April. INQ

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