PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort is set to be named PVL Coach of the Year after guiding the High Speed Hitters through a breakthrough 2025–2026 season marked by consistency, discipline, and a historic winning run. Despite years of near misses and heartbreaks, Ricafort never lost faith in the system and long-term program he built with the team.

The High Speed Hitters finally broke through by sweeping the inaugural PVL on Tour to claim their first professional title. They extended their dominance into the Invitationals, building a 15-game winning streak that defined their rise as one of the league’s top contenders.

Ricafort will receive the honor at the 2nd Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night on May 30 at the Novotel Manila Araneta City. The recognition follows a season where PLDT transformed from contender to champion across multiple conferences.

PLDT breakthrough rise

Under Ricafort’s leadership, PLDT finished fourth in the Reinforced Conference before securing a maiden bronze medal in the All-Filipino tilt. The progress reflected steady improvement built over multiple seasons of development.

Ricafort earned a total of 11 points from combined media and team votes to top former Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos and Creamline mentor Sherwin Meneses. The award highlighted the competitive balance of coaching excellence in the league.

The High Speed Hitters’ breakthrough season established them as a rising force in the PVL hierarchy. Their system-driven approach and improved execution carried them through key matches across the season.

Creamline and Criss Cross dominance

Creamline Cool Smashers continued their dynasty by securing their 11th championship title in the PVL. They also earned back-to-back Team of the Year honors at the annual awards ceremony.

Creamline finished with 10.4 points in voting, edging PLDT and Cignal to retain its status as the league’s benchmark franchise. The team also navigated a stronger competitive field in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference to reinforce its dominance.

In the Spikers’ Turf, Criss Cross King Crunchers emerged as a new powerhouse after winning their first title in the 2025 Invitational Conference. They followed it with a repeat championship in the 2026 Open Conference.

Criss Cross defeated Japan’s Kindai University in a five-set thriller before turning back Savouge Spin Doctors in a Game 3 finals victory. Their success established them as the new standard in men’s volleyball.

Head coach Tai Bundit was named Spikers’ Turf Coach of the Year after guiding Criss Cross through its transformation into a title-winning program. The recognition capped a season defined by breakthrough teams and emerging dynasties across Philippine volleyball.