Mika Reyes is set to return for PLDT in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — PLDT may be missing some key players this conference but help is on the way as Mika Reyes returns to action in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, which opens on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
The High Speed Hitters coach Rald Ricafort bared to Inquirer Sports that Reyes is already 100 percent after missing the entire All-Filipino Conference due to a shoulder injury.
The 6-foot middle blocker, who has been dealing with the injury since last year, is finally reuniting with fellow former La Salle star Majoy Baron to complete the “Taft Tower” in the frontline of PLDT.
READ: PVL: PLDT hopes to make do sans newlywed Rhea Dimaculangan
Ricafort is elated to have Reyes back especially since the High Speed Hitters will miss Dell Palomata in the midseason tournament due to her Alas Pilipinas stint.
“She’s a big help, defensively. Plus the leadership since she was our captain before,” the PLDT coach said in Filipino.
The former PVL middle blocker graced the historic PVL Rookie Draft on Monday at Novotel when the team drafted young playmaker Angge Alcantara as the eighth overall pick.
READ: PVL: PLDT’s Kianna Dy still day-to-day, no timeline for return
Reyes will be reuniting with her college teammate and setter Kim Fajardo, Savi Davison, Russian spiker Elena Samoilenko, and captain libero Kath Arado in their bid to bring back the High Speed Hitters to the semifinals after falling short in the All-Filipino Conference.
PLDT will also miss newlywed Rhea Dimaculangan but it acquired Alcantara as Fajardo’s backup, while Kianna Dy’s recovery remains day-to-day.
The High Speed Hitters kick off their campaign against the Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday next week at Philsports Arena. They are slated in Pool A with Chery Tiggo, Farm Fresh, Nxled, and Galeries Tower.