Things are somehow lining up for PLDT, which is nearing its final assignments of the preliminary round of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Injured players are back, the High Speed Hitters are starting another winning run and everyone is getting the hang of their chemistry on the court.

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But there is still a lot more work to do—and one, particularly, is on how the team will manage its talent glut.

“[That] is a good problem with this lineup. The issue is how we will manage to give everyone an opportunity [to play] or [who will come] from the bench and [making sure] they should fit well [into our system],” coach Rald Ricafort said in Filipino.

PLDT hammered out a quick 25-20, 25-17, 25-19 victory over Farm Fresh on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena, a win that propelled it to No. 3 with two games remaining—one of them against undefeated Creamline.

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Bench depth

“[O]ur focus is more on making our bench deep and to always have someone we can pull from the bench in times that others don’t deliver,” Ricafort said.

“We really need to develop the first and second six so we are focused on that. At the same time, we are happy that the likes of Kianna [Dy] are returning, so hopefully we can finally utilize the lineup that we have long been waiting for,” he added.

Dy made her return from a 559-day injury-induced hiatus in PLDT’s last game and although she was in uniform, the tactician did not field her.

One of the crucial pieces for PLDT is Mika Reyes, who showed her willingness to help and how potent she still can be for the High Speed Hitters given the chance. Reyes was sidelined for some time due to a shoulder injury before making her comeback in July last year.

She scored 10 points against the Foxies, backstopping Savi Davison’s 26. The two responded well to the playmaking of young setter Angge Alcantara, who has been calling the shots for the High Speed Hitters due to the limited play of their high-profile floor generals.

It won’t get easier from here for PLDT with the defending champions on lock to keep their unblemished record, currently at 7-0, intact. And PLDT knows how crucial its next games will be to maintain a strong position heading into the qualifying round. INQ