Rising from the ashes of their impressive semifinal run in the previous conference, PLDT is determined to conquer new heights in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
To bolster their chances, they have made a significant addition to their roster by signing veteran outside spiker Royse Tubino.
Tubino, who has honed her skills over the past four years with the Philippine Army in the PVL, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the PLDT squad.
However, it's worth noting that the Lady Troopers will not be participating in the Invitational Conference, leaving Tubino free to embark on a new chapter in her volleyball journey.
During the last All-Filipino Conference, Tubino showcased her prowess by leading the Lady Troopers in scoring. However, the absence of main hitter Jovelyn Gonzaga, who made the decision to focus on her preparations for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball event, posed a significant challenge for the team.
As a result, the Army team endured a disheartening winless streak for the second consecutive season, losing 21 consecutive games since the previous year.
PLDT's acquisition of Tubino marks a significant move in their pursuit of victory. She becomes the second 'special guest player' to join the High Speed Hitters, following in the footsteps of Air Force's Dell Palomata.
Tubino will be joining forces with a talented lineup of wing spikers, including Michelle Morente, Mean Mendrez, Erika Santos, Jovie Prado, Jules Samonte, and Fiola Ceballos.
As PLDT sets its sights on future triumphs, they also bid farewell to two key players. Outside hitter Ysa Jimenez and veteran playmaker Wendy Semana recently announced their departure from the team, leaving behind a void that will need to be filled by the incoming recruits and the remaining roster.
