PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Dell Palomata during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
ANTIPOLO — Dell Palomata is bringing her maturity from Alas Pilipinas as PLDT seeks to finally get over the hump in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Back from her Philippine women’s volleyball team stint, Palomata has been instrumental in the High Speed Hitters’ first two wins for the share of the early 2-0 league lead with the Akari Chargers.
The middle blocker nailed three blocks to finish with five points in PLDT’s 25-27, 22-25, 23-25 win over Galeries Tower on Tuesday evening at Ynares Center Antipolo.
READ: PVL: PLDT scores second win with tough sweep of Galeries
Palomata, who was part of Alas’ historic AVC Challenge Cup bronze medal run and a pair of third-place finishes in the SEA VLeague, looks to share her experience with her longtime club, which missed her presence in the Reinforced Conference due to her duty as a national team player.
“Siguro yung maturity as a player [yung madadala ko]. Iba talaga yung feeling kapag matured ka na sa team. Nakakaboost din ng confidence yung experience and kapag naishi-share ko rin yung mga natutunan ko sa Alas Pilipinas sa team,” said Palomata.
READ: PVL: A lot to look forward to for PLDT
With Palomata on the sidelines, PLDT made it to the Reinforced semifinals only to fall to Akari in five sets in heartbreaking and controversial fashion after a crucial net fault call.
Now that she’s back, the 6-foot-3 middle blocker is eager to make up for lost time, familiarizing herself with coach Rald Ricafort’s system anew.
“Para sakin, nung nakabalik na ako sa mother team ko, nagpuspusan talaga ako sa training,” Palomata said. “Kasi siyempre galing sa Alas Pilipinas yung system doon iba tapos yung system ng mother team ko is iba. So, nag-focus talaga sa system namin ngayon na nakabalik ako sa PLDT.”
PLDT eyes its third win against Capital1 on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.