Dell Palomata and PLDT celebrate a point. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Dell Palomata credited veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan for bringing out the best in her this Premier Volleyball League Invitation Conference.
The 6-foot-3 middle blocker has been impressive in the semifinal round, highlighted by a 19-point explosion to deliver PLDT’s second straight win after fending off sister team Cignal 15-25, 25-13, 25-23, 25-23, on Thursday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Palomata said Dimaculangan makes the Power Hitters better with her brilliant playmaking.
“Ate Rhea is super supportive to me. She pushes me to do more and bring out the best in my game,” she said in Filipino after pouring 16 attacks and three kill blocks.
From averaging 9.1 points in the six-game elimination round, the 26-year-old Palomata is peaking at the right time in the semis as PLDT’s leading scorer in the round with a 15.5-point average.
The middle blocker, who played for the Philippine women’s volleyball team in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, deflected the credit to head coach George Pascua and her teammates for her stellar showing.
“I won’t be able to do it without the help of my coaches and teammates throughout the game,” Palomata said. “Winning our first two games is a result of our hard work in training.”
“Everyone from my team, even the second six, is just enjoying the game. These first two wins boost our confidence,” she added.
Despite seizing a 2-0 lead in the round where only the top two squads of the round robin will reach the finals, Palomata insisted that they have to work harder in training to continue their dream run as they will face the Open Conference champion Creamline on Saturday.
“We have to keep our focus and train harder so we can apply it in our remaining games,” she said. “Creamline is a very strong team. We can’t be complacent and contented with our first two wins. We have to keep on fighting.”