WITH PLDT currently at joint-third in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, it may very well be far from the top of the order when it comes to the league's annual rookie draft.
For reigning and defending UAAP MVP Bella Belen, however, the High Speed Hitters would be a dream destination.
"Ako kasi, based sa napapanood ko ngayon sa PVL, gusto ko dun sa team na feeling ko, magagamit ako. I think yung team na feeling ko, magagamit ako is PLDT," she said in an interview with the PVL and UAAP's broadcast partner.
"Or ano pa ba? Yun lang. PLDT yung nasa isip ko talaga ngayon na parang feeling ko, keri ko or may pwede akong ma-contribute sa team."
Belen then went on to say in jest that Grand Slam-winning Creamline, whom her National University side shares the same head coach with in Sherwin Meneses, might be too stacked for her to break into given the unrivaled star power the 10-time PVL champions already have at their disposal.
Still, if one way or another, fate brings the Queen Lady Bulldog to her ‘dream team,’ it would be an indubitable welcome addition for PLDT.
“We certainly would be happy to have Bella. She is the perfect complement for Savi [Davison] at the outside hitter position,” Jude Turcuato, head of sports for PLDT and Smart, told SPIN.ph.
PLDT's missing piece?
The running narrative for the High Speed Hitters thus far this conference is the lack of scoring support for Davison, the PVL’s current leading scorer and spiker.
The 26-year-old Fil-Canadian spiker has normed 23.4 points (211 total points) in nine preliminary round matches along with a league-best 39.55 percent spiking efficiency.
Next in the scoring ranks for PLDT? Erika Santos (11.3 points) then middle blocker Majoy Baron (7.8 points).
While the numbers between Davison and the rest of the High Speed Hitters have been quite distant, Turcuato remains pleased with the collective effort the team has put in amid its ongoing title charge.
“We're satisfied that the our spikers are getting healthy. That will hopefully help in backing up Savi. (We just) need a bit more consistency and mental toughness,” he said.
As is the case with the rest of the field, Belen would be a guaranteed luxury for any PVL team in pursuit of eventual championship contention.
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