Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 20) – The PLDT Home High Speed Hitters and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans scored big acquisitions on Wednesday ahead of their 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference campaign.
The High Speed Hitters secured the services of towering middle hitter Mika Reyes, who had no choice but to find a new team after her former squad Sta. Lucia filed a leave of absence for this season.
Reyes said she is excited to join the George Pascua-coached PLDT side as she feels she can grow with her new teammates.
“New team, fresh start pero same goal pa rin naman kahit saan ako magpunta [but still the same goal whatever team I join], to learn as much as I can and be able to contribute in any way I can,” said Reyes, who is expected to address the Power Hitters’ lack of strong players in the middle.
The former De La Salle University standout is one of the many new faces in the revamped PLDT squad, who finished at the lower half of the 2021 PVL Open Conference with a 3-6 record.
Jessey de Leon, Kath Arado, and Mean Mendrez are the first new players announced by the High Speed Hitters last Jan. 15, along with the retention of ace setter Rhea Dimaculangan, Eli Soyud, Chin Basas, and Iza Viray.
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PLDT also picked up former Sta. Lucia players Dell Palomata and Jovie Prado, former Perlas Spikers outside hitter Heather Guino-o and middle blocker Jules Samonte, former Cignal stalwart Fiola Ceballos, veteran setter Wendy Semana, and University of the East product Lhara Clavano.
Meanwhile, the Ateneo Lady Eagles-laden Flying Titans continued bolstering their lineup by adding former collegiate rivals in their lair.
The Oliver Almadro-mentored team announced the signing of two high-profile outside hitters in former De La Salle University Lady Archer Desiree Cheng and former University of the Philippines Maroon Isa Molde.
Cheng last played for the De La Salle-laden F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, just like fellow Choco Mucho newcomer and schoolmate Aduke Ogunsanya.
Molde, a two-time Most Valuable Player awardee in the PVL Collegiate Conference, left PLDT to join her Katipunan neighbors in the pros.
PVL president Ricky Palou said the league is eyeing three conferences this year, with the Open Conference being the first salvo, with a target opening date of Feb. 16 in a bubble setup at either the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila or the Royale Tagaytay.
