PLDT taps Soyud, Basas, Gabarde, Viray ahead of PVL return

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—PLDT Home Fibr signed four new additions to its roster as it makes its return to the Premier Volleyball League.

Announcing through its official Facebook page, the Hitters added Eli Soyud, Chinchin Basas, and Yeye Gabarde from Generika-Ayala and San Beda product Nieza Viray to their fold.

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Hitters head coach Roger Gorayeb said adding teammates will speed up the team’s rebuilding process while signing another young player gives them another edge.

“Their experience is a big thing for us especially as they played for several teams already where they played heavily. They already have exposure from just playing before with their clubs,” said Gorayeb in Filipino.

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“I hope they bring that experience with them and they’d really fill up the gap on our team especially since they’re still young and big.”

The 5-foot-10 Soyud, 25, played for De La Salle, where she won one UAAP title in 2016, and Adamson University

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Soyud, who plays opposite spiker, then played with Motolite in 2019 before going to Generika-Ayala in 2020 during her club career.

Basas, 24, was a highly-touted prospect for Far Eastern University during her college days with the 5-foot-8 opposite spiker signing for Petron in the club leagues.

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Gabarda, 22 and also stands at 5-foot-10, will forego her remaining collegiate eligibility for University of the East as she joins PLDT, which is now a professional team after PVL gained status as a pay-to-play league.

Viray, a 5-foot-5 natural beach volleyball player, will be Gorayeb’s project as he sees the San Beda player becoming a libero for the Hitters.

Gorayeb, a 39-time NCAA champion coach, sees no problem turning Viray, who plays wing spiker for the Lady Red Lions, into his team’s defensive key.

“I really like the players who want to prove something. She’s done well in beach volleyball, especially in reception, so I’ll give her a chance to be a libero,” said Gorayeb who cited Denden Lazaro and Jasmine Nabor as examples of players who switched positions during their college years.

Unlike Gabarda, Viray can still play in the NCAA despite playing in a professional league as the association allows its student-athletes to avail of GAB’s special guest license.