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Mika Reyes comes up huge for the PLDT High Speed Hitters as she wins Finals Most Valuable Player in the PVL on Tour.
Mika Reyes could hardly believe it when she was announced as Finals Most Valuable Player in PLDT’s hard-fought title PVL on Tour title bout against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, August 17.
After all, she only wanted to help the High Speed Hitters win an elusive PVL championship, and chasing individual glory was the last thing on her mind.
“Hindi ko rin talaga in-expect! Hindi ko rin narinig actually, pero hindi ko rin talaga in-expect!” Reyes admitted post-game. “Ever since naman, I think mas importante talaga sakin ‘yung para sa team, na mas gusto ko makuha ‘yung championship than any other individual award.”
Still, it wasn’t any bit surprising, as Reyes came up huge for PLDT in the championship bout, finishing with 20 points, headlined by seven huge blocks as the High Speed Hitters fended off a furious comeback attempt by the Crossovers.
Four of Reyes’ points came in the do-or-die fifth set, including a kill off an overreceive that put PLDT at championship point.
“Of course I’m very thankful dito sa award, pero hindi ko naman din talaga ito magagawa without my teammates. Totoo naman! Kung hindi naman ako rereceivan ni Savi [Davison] tsaka Kath [Arado] wala ‘yun diba? Tsaka especially si Kim Fajardo!” Reyes said following the 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8 victory.
“Lagi ko rin sinasabi na maging present talaga, ayun naman ‘yung kailangan namin i-remind especially this game, kasi sobrang hirap makakuha ng championship sa PVL! Sobrang hirap kalaban lahat ng teams, kaya sobrang sarap din na makuha itong championship.”
A part of PLDT since 2022, Mika Reyes has been part of the team’s several what-ifs and near misses, where they have often come up one game, or even one set short of a podium finish in previous conferences.
But now that the High Speed Hitters have won a coveted PVL championship, any lingering feelings of regret have effectively been washed away, according to Reyes.
“Sobrang frustrating talaga siya [the past conferences]! At the same time, ‘yung sinabi rin ni coach [Rald Ricafort] na na-experience namin, hindi pa rin kami tumigil, and I think ‘yun ‘yung nagpapasarap talaga sa championship na ito,” she reflected. “Kasi sa lahat ng nangyari these past few years, parang mas naging motivation pa samin ‘yun.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.