Alleiah Malaluan made an immediate impact when she checked in late in the first set on Thursday night, scoring three of the last four points to help undermanned PLDT to a PVL Invitational Conference victory over Chery Tiggo at Philsports Arena.
That brief exposure was enough for Malaluan to have an impressive pro debut as she finished with 11 points, 13 digs and nine excellent receptions in 25-16, 25-14, 25-20 victory that had High Speed Hitters scoring a follow-up win over the Crossovers five days after the On Tour finals.
The ninth overall pick out of La Salle, who just got a go signal from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation to play after Alas Pilipinas’ tournaments had concluded, wants to experience what the other High Speed Hitters did in winning the On Tour, which she sat out with fellow national player Dell Palomata.
“Of course, I’m super happy for the team, and I was really excited too, especially with the recent championship,” Malaluan told the Inquirer in Filipino as she seeks a first pro title in the next two weeks.
“I want to experience playing and winning the championship with them,” she said. “I won the championship with them [in the PVL on Tour], but it will be a different feeling to win [while] playing.”
The 23-year-old wing spiker is armed with her Alas Pilipinas experience after competing in the VTV Cup against international squads and training with the top players in the country.
“Maybe [my biggest gain] is my confidence, because I’ve already faced really tall and strong players,” she went on. “So I use that experience and just go for the hit.
“That gives me the confidence to just keep swinging. I’m really hoping I can apply more of what I’ve learned (with Alas) moving forward.”
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort praised Malaluan for stepping up for the team after Savi Davison, Kim Fajardo and Kianna Dy rested, four days after their championship.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for her debut, and we were all really excited for her,” Ricafort said. “We brought her in because we knew she would fit well into our system.
“So hopefully, once the team is complete again, with her included, we’ll be in a really good position moving forward.”
Malaluan vows to continue contributing to PLDT, which now holds a 2-0 record because of its On Tour semis win. The High Speed Hitters battle winless Cignal on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the same venue in Pasig City.
“I just focus on doing whatever the coaches ask me to do, and I just play,” Malaluan said. “I try to play without pressure. Honestly, I just told myself, “Let’s see how this goes,” because it’s my first time (as a pro). I’m just really happy with how it turned out.” INQ
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