UP’s Molde, Layug turn pro as they join PLDT

FILE–Isa Molde and Marist Layug for the UP Lady Maroons. INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—PLDT Home Fibr continued its youth revolution after it signed University of the Philippines’ Isa Molde and Marist Layug for the coming season of the Premier Volleyball League.

Molde and Layug’s entry into the Hitters’ lineup meant that they would be relinquishing their UAAP eligibilities.

PLDT head coach Roger Gorayeb and team manager Bajjie Del Rosario, however, made sure to clear it up first with the Lady Maroons’ management.

“Sir Bajjie and I talked to their adviser Direk [Mandy Reyes] and she told us that they’d allow Isa and Marist to see what would benefit their careers more,” said Gorayeb in Filipino.

“They were already happy with what Isa and Marist gave them in the four years they stayed in UP.”

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UAAP’s Rookie of the Year for Season 78, Molde is already an established star in the collegiate ranks and was even named captain of the U-23 national team.

Molde, who stands at 5-foot-7, also had her club exposure with Foton and Motolite.

“Isa’s an outside hitter and her exposure from UP and her other teams was a big help for her,” said Gorayeb. “She’ll bring so many things for us in the team.”

Layug, meanwhile, was UP’s steady defensive presence in front of the net with the 6-foot blocker already in Gorayeb’s radar even before she entered college.

Gorayeb said he’d wanted to recruit Layug from King’s Montessori when he was still coaching National University.

“Marist was one of the players I wanted to get when I was still with NU,” said Gorayeb. “It was just that we couldn’t have a conversation with her because there were other people who were already talking to her that time, and she just told me that she would go to UP.  Well at least we’re in the same team now.”

The club also announced the signing of Eli Soyud, Chinchin Basas, and Yeye Gabarde and Nieza Viray the other day.