Cuban import Wilma Salas will return home with a full heart after wrapping up her stint with PLDT in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League.
Despite being with the team for only two weeks, Salas quickly formed a strong bond with the High Speed Hitters — connecting with her teammates both on and off the court and leaving a lasting impression during her short stint.
The 34-year-old winger shared that she felt right at home with PLDT, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the team for embracing her and giving her the opportunity to represent the club on the Asian stage.
“I say [after] the first conference, I feel like [I’m] home with PLDT. I will go back to my country happy,” said Salas after PLDT bowed out of the quarterfinals via a straight-set defeat at the hands of Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC.
“This opportunity is good for me, that’s why I would like to thank [everyone] for the opportunity to represent the Philippines. For sure, Philippines is in my heart everytime, so, thank you for this,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
The High Speed Hitters wrapped up Pool D in second place with a 1-1 record, cruising past Queensland of Australia before taking Thailand powerhouse Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC to the brink, ultimately falling in a hard-fought five-set thriller to end pool play.
However, PLDT struggled to regain its rhythm in the quarterfinals, falling to a taller and more dominant Zhetysu squad, 13-25, 22-25, 20-25, to bow out of the tournament.
Salas tallied 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks, along with six excellent digs in the loss.
The former Petro Gazz guest player — who won a championship with the Angels in the 2019 PVL Reinforced Conference before ultimately coming back last year — said that the High Speed Hitters had a hard time keeping up with the Kazakhs’ European style of play.
Still, Salas said that she feels proud of the fight the team showed despite the limited preparation time and unfamiliarity with one another.
“This team (Zhetysu VC), with this level… I know… It’s like a European style, tall, and… it’s different… It’s so tall,” said the 6-foot-2 outside hitter.
“Okay. today, [our team] we all put together inside the court. Me and my team fight. So, I am happy for this.”
