Galeries Tower has parted ways with Jho Maraguinot, Renee Mabilangan, and RJ Doromal, while PLDT also announced the exit of veterans Fiola Ceballos and Rachel Austero.
The Galeries Tower Highrisers and the PLDT High Speed Hitters have confirmed the exit of several players from their rosters.
In official announcements released this week, both teams thanked the departing athletes for their contributions and wished them well as they move forward.
The Highrisers have parted ways with three players as the team retools its lineup. Outside hitter Jho Maraguinot, setter Renee Mabilangan, and opposite hitter Roma Joy Doromal will no longer be with the Highrisers, the club announced on Tuesday.
Maraguinot – a veteran wing spiker who joined Galeries Tower during the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference – provided experienced leadership to the young squad and was looked upon to lead the team’s offense.
Mabilangan contributed to the Highrisers’ playmaking rotation and helped orchestrate the offense during her stint, while Doromal, a left-handed opposite hitter and one of the team’s early standouts, served as an important scoring option since the Highrisers’ PVL debut season.
The club expressed its gratitude to all three athletes for their service, acknowledging the roles they played in the team’s initial PVL campaigns, and wished them success in their future endeavors.
“Our heartfelt appreciation goes to these incredible Highrisers! Your competitive spirit on the court will be truly missed,” the Highrisers wrote. “Thank you for proudly wearing teal and white.”
Meanwhile, the High Speed Hitters have officially parted ways with two of their veteran mainstays. Outside hitter Fiola Ceballos and middle blocker Rachel Austero are both moving on from the PLDT squad.
Ceballos spent three seasons with the High Speed Hitters and was one of the team’s top offensive contributors, finishing among PLDT’s leading scorers in the recent All-Filipino Conference.
“One thing we were able to count on over the years was the stable passing you delivered whenever you were inside the court. That is comfort we will miss. Thank you for being a PLDT High Speed Hitter, Fiola! May you grow even more where you are planted next,” the team wrote.
Austero, who joined PLDT in late 2022, provided depth and experience to the middle blocker rotation. Though her on-court appearances were limited in recent conferences, the 27-year-old remained a steady presence on the roster and a veteran voice on the sideline.
“The next training session will be a little quieter and with less laughter for a little while as PLDT parts ways with our Rachel Austero. But nonetheless, we will be beaming with pride as you shine brighter in your new home. Thank you for being a High Speed Hitter,” the team added.
PLDT will look to regroup in the coming offseason, with plans to fill the void left by these departures as they prepare for the next PVL conference.