After two years with Capital1, Leila Cruz is set to embark on a new chapter with PLDT after signing with the High Speed Hitters, the team announced Wednesday.
“You can never be late to your own time to shine. Opposite hitter Leila Cruz joins the High Speed Hitters starting in the 2026-2027 PVL season,” the team said.
“We are excited to see you at your best on the taraflex court! You got this, and we gotchu.”
Drafted second overall by the Solar Spikers in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft, Cruz was touted as a cornerstone piece who could help establish the franchise. However, she never quite found her footing with the squad despite showing flashes of brilliance during her rookie season under head coach Roger Gorayeb.
(C) PVL Images
Cruz then struggled to find consistent playing time in the most recent PVL season under Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, playing behind Sydney Niegos, France Ronquillo, and Ysa Jimenez in the Solar Spikers’ rotation.
The opposite hitter rotation became even more crowded this year with the arrival of former Cignal star and league MVP Erika Santos.
With PLDT, Cruz will join Kianna Dy and Jessey De Leon in the opposite hitter rotation, giving the High Speed Hitters another attacking option as she looks to regain her footing and carve out a bigger role with her new team.
