Rald Ricafort says PLDT 'youth movement' convinced him to take coaching job - Thelocalreport.in

Rald Ricafort. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Coach Rald Ricafort cited his passion for coaching young players as one of the reasons for his move to PLDT in the Volleyball Premier League.

Ricafort’s sudden transfer to the High Speed Hitters rocked the volleyball scene on Wednesday, with the champion mentor saying he accepted the offer for the PLDT job to further his interest in the “youth movement.”

“As PLDT told me, they wanted to have a youth movement starting with the coaches. That is also where I think the direction of my career should go. I took the job as a perfect opportunity to have a new environment,” Ricafort said in Filipino.

“Of course, the pressure is there to always compete, but for me, I will enjoy this,” he added.

Much of the surprise stems from the fact that Ricafort is coming off a title-winning campaign with Petro Gazz in the Enhanced Conference, where the Angels swept the Cignal HD Spikers in two games.

He will replace George Pascua, who led the High Speed Hitters to a sixth-place finish in the Reinforced tournament.

Ricafort will bring assistant coach and longtime colleague Arnold Laniog to PLDT.

“Having him is definitely a huge help to me as I move into this new environment, having already been together all these years. With him, there won’t be much adjustment in the transition that we want to instill in this team,” Ricafort said.