The PLDT Home Fibr Speed Hitters intensified their roster build up for the brand-new season of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) as they signed former Perlas Spikers Jules Samonte and Heather Guino-o.
Guino-o is a 5’7’’ outside hitter who played for Perlas for the last two seasons while Samonte is a 5’9’’ middle blocker who made her Perlas debut late last year during the PNVF Champions League.
For Samonte, who let go of her final year of eligibility in Ateneo to play pro volleyball, she is grateful to have found a new home with the Speed Hitters.
“I’m really grateful because Perlas suddenly got disbanded,” she said. “I thought I was going to be with them for another year. It was unfortunate. Now, I’m just grateful to have found a home in PLDT.”
Unlike in Perlas where she had fellow Ateneans like Jho Maraguinot and Mich Morente to guide her, Maraguinot will be the only ex-Lady Eagle in the High Speed Hitters roster.
PLDT kept Rhea Dimaculangan, Chin Basas, Eli Soyud, and Nieza Viray from last season and signed up new players Kath Arado, Jessey De Leon, Mean Mendrez, Dell Palomata, Jovie Prado, Wendy Semana, Fiola Ceballos, and Lhara Clavano. The team also tapped George Pascua to be their new head coach.
Samonte shared that it is both exciting to be with this new team.
“It’s kind of exciting and nerve-racking because I’ll be out of my comfort zone and I won’t have an older sister to guide me,” said the UAAP Season 79 Rookie of the Year.
“I’m going to be teammates with my idols, too. That’s the exciting part. I know I’m going to learn a lot from my new teammates and the coaches.”
Samonte admitted feeling pressure during her first year as a pro. However, come the new season of the PVL, she said she is looking forward to getting better.
“It’s my first time as a pro and to play with all the teams in the PVL. This is also my first year outside of Ateneo, so there’s sort of pressure,” she admitted. “But I just have to show what I have been working out for during the last two years.”