Sports

PLDT continues retooling of roster, signs former Sta. Lucia aces

Jonas N. Panerio

THE PLDT Home Fibr Hitters continued tweaking its roster for the upcoming 2022 Premier Volleyball League as they signed towering middle blocker Dell Palomata and crafty outside hitter Jovie Prado.

The two are former standouts of Sta. Lucia before the team took a leave of absence this season. Palomata though did not think twice about where she would be for this season. After all, new High Speed Hitters head coach George Pascua was one of her mentors when she played for Choco Mucho in the 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship while assistant coach Raffy Mosuela is also part of the Philippine Air Force.

“They coach differently. I was able to showcase my skills when they coached me,” Palomata said.

It also helped Palomata that she would have Prado with her as during their short run in Sta. Lucia, the two became close pals.

“It’s a huge thing I got to play with Jovy at Sta. Lucia. We sure showed something different with Sta. Lucia last conference,” the 6-foot-3 blocker continued as the two of them were the breakout stars of the Lady Realtors last year. “For me, we’ll even be better at this conference.”

Palomata and Prado join Kath Arado, Jessey De Leon and Mean Mendrez as the new signings of PLDT so far. They will also join holdovers Rhea Dimaculangan, Chin Basas, Eli Soyud, and Nieza Viray.

The native of Batan, Aklan is looking forward to being part of the suddenly veteran-laden team when the 2022 PVL Open Conference opens shop tentatively on Feb. 16.

“Our goal as a team is to continue to improve. Of course, we also want to bring a championship to PLDT. I’ve always ended up at

second place,” she shared. “Hopefully, I get to win a

championship.”

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