After a long wait, Alleiah Malaluan shook off the jitters and delivered an all-around performance in her highly anticipated PLDT debut in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational on Thursday night.
Malaluan spent the last two months with Alas Pilipinas before finally suiting up for the High Speed Hitters, who selected her ninth overall in the PVL Rookie Draft last May.
With no more tournaments on the horizon for the Nationals, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) opted to release the players earlier than the October 15 national team window, clearing the way for the former La Salle standout’s PLDT debut.
And Malaluan did not disappoint.
She made an immediate impact, stepping up in the absence of top scorers Savannah Davison and Kianna Dy to power the High Speed Hitters past Chery Tiggo, 25-16, 25-14, 25-18, in a rematch of the PVL On Tour finale her team had previously won.
“Of course [meron], kasi first time playing with PLDT. Sabi ko nga kanina, ba’t ako kinakabahan? I already experienced playing internationally. So yeah, sobrang happy lang din na nairaos ko,” said the 23-year-old outside hitter.
“Sobrang mixed emotions ako kasi I’m excited and nervous at the same time. So, sinabi ko na lang sa sarili ko na, ‘Sige, paluin ko na lang, bahala na.’ Ayun, it turned out okay,” she added, as PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort smiled in approval.
(C) PVL Images
Malaluan finished with a near triple-double — 11 points, 13 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions — to impress in her first outing with the High Speed Hitters.
She credited her time with the national team for sharpening her skills, noting that the corrections and lessons she picked up in training with Alas Pilipinas were applied immediately in her PLDT debut.
“Siyempre po, kasi dun naman sa training sa Alas may corrections din na tinatama. Kapag nagte-training there, syempre training din with PLDT. So kung ano ’yung tinuturo sa’kin na corrections, siyempre ita-try ko rin i-apply ’yun sa PLDT, kasi I know it could help me rin in the long run,” shared Malaluan.
“While training naman with Alas, syempre napunta rin naman ako sa training ng PLDT. Then going there, I need to observe everything — sumasali rin ako sa viewings nila. So ayun, inaaral ko ’yung mga tinuturo, and I always make sure na kung anong sinasabi ni coach, ina-absorb ko lang,” she added.
Ricafort, meanwhile, said Malaluan is exactly what PLDT needs, adding that the High Speed Hitters will become even more formidable once the roster is complete.
“Debut na matagal na naming inaantay, excited kami para sa kaniya. Kasi ‘yun nga, kinuha naman namin siya dahil alam naming magfi-fit sa system. So hopefully, ‘pag nakumpleto kami ulit, plus siya [Alleiah], magiging maganda ‘yung takbo ng team,” said the PLDT mentor.
