From longing on the sidelines to lifting a trophy on center court, rookie Alleiah Malaluan finally traded the pain of missing PLDT’s last championship for the joy of helping the High Speed Hitters capture the PVL Invitational crown.
Malaluan was forced to sit out the team’s championship run in the PVL On Tour while fulfilling her duties with Alas Pilipinas — a bittersweet sacrifice that left her yearning to contribute.
This time, however, she seized the opportunity, stepping into the spotlight and proving that she could be a vital piece in PLDT’s back-to-back title run.
“Syempre sobrang fulfilling kasi finally… I’ve been waiting for this time, kasi syempre ‘yung ibang rookies, they’ve been playing with their teams [already],” said Malaluan after the High Speed Hitters’ 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18 win over Kobe Shinwa University in the gold medal match.
“So parang nilu-look forward ko rin talaga na makapag-play with the team. I’m really blessed with everything na dumadating sa’kin,” she added.
The ninth overall pick of the 2025 PVL Draft carved out a steady role in the starting six after an impressive elimination round debut. She eventually became a reliable presence for PLDT on their road to the championship.
(C) PVL Images
And when the lights shone brightest, Malaluan held her ground, delivering 15 points against the Japanese guest team to help seal PLDT’s second straight PVL crown.
But the rookie was quick to deflect credit, instead drawing inspiration from her teammates’ support and expressing gratitude to the coaching staff for trusting her in crucial moments.
“I’m really happy that I was able to play with the team. Grabe ‘yung pagod, ‘yung perseverance of everyone — sobrang hands down ako kasi grabe talaga,” said the former De La Salle University standout.
“I’m really happy that I’m playing with this set of teammates and syempre ‘yung coaching staff, sobrang tiyaga nila especially sa’kin kasi as someone who’s been training with the team for a few weeks nga lang ata, na solid talaga sa [starting] six, sobrang ‘di nila ako pinapabayaan sa loob ng court,” she added.
Now that she has tasted her first PVL championship — achieved in her debut stint with PLDT — Malaluan is already setting her sights on more, eager to chase future titles with the High Speed Hitters.
“At the same time, nilu-look forward ko pa ‘yung more championships with the team kasi kaya naman namin eh.”
