PVL: Mean Mendrez credits coach Rald Ricafort for confidence boost at PLDT

PLDT High Speeders’ Means Mendrez. – PVL PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Mean Mendrez is grateful for the confidence given by PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, giving him confidence as the starting spiker in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

Mendrez shined in his first start for the High Speed ​​Hitters, posting a game-high 11 points in a 25-19, 25-12, 25-21 victory over the Army Lady Troopers on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.

The University of the East standout, who was rarely used in PLDT last year, admitted he is still gaining confidence after a minor knee injury two years ago when he was still with Petro Gazz in the PVL bubble.

“He believes in all of us. He lets us play the game. It’s always up to us. He’s just there to guide us with us [game] strategy,” Mendrez said of the coach in the Philippines.

“I am very happy [with this win]. We were sure to play our game. Because that’s what we do in practice. That’s why our confidence is growing every game,” he added.

Mendrez said it was easy to adjust under the guidance of Ricafort, who was an assistant coach at Petro Gazz before being promoted to head coach and winning the championship in the Reinforced Conference last year.

“It is not difficult to manage. Coach Rald was also my previous coach. He also handles other friends. So it’s just a few adjustments,” he said.

Ricafort, for his part, wasn’t satisfied with his first victory, but he was happy to see Mendrez and the rest of the players bounce back from a five-set loss to F2 Logistics last week.

Mendrez and the High Speed ​​Hitters look for their second win against the undefeated Chery Tiggo Crossovers (3-0) on Tuesday next week at the same venue in Pasig City.

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