Rookie hitter Alleiah Malaluan took on a big role for the PLDT High Speed Hitters in her first tournament with the team in the 2025 PVL Invitational.
Alleiah Malaluan plunged right into a championship run with the PLDT High Speed Hitters, joining the team after serving her Alas Pilipinas duties.
Without missing a beat, the former UAAP standout and the no. 9 pick of the 2025 Draft hit the ground running with her new team, playing a pivotal role in PLDT’s second straight title after winning the PVL Invitational over the weekend.
[RELATED: PLDT claims back-to-back PVL titles after besting Kobe Shinwa in Invitational Finals]
In the title-clinching game against Kobe Shinwa University, Malaluan fired 15 points to help the High Speed Hitters overcome the Japanese guest team in four competitive sets.
After winning her first title as a pro, Malaluan said that she was happy to see La Salle’s winning tradition continue with herself and her fellow Lady Spikers alumni.
“Siguro yung similarities, nandoon yung championship DNA. Alam naman natin na nandoon yung La Salle ates ko. Then yung difference, wala naman, kasi yung system naman nandoon eh,” she said.
Though entering new territory in her pro debut, Malaluan had a lot of familiar faces in the team, with a handful of La Salle alumni in PLDT – most notably Kim Fajardo, Kim Kianna Dy, Mika Reyes, and Majoy Baron.
For Malaluan, it was crucial as she integrated into the team with her fellow La Salle products helping her get comfortable in her new role.
“Syempre ‘yung tiwala namin sa isa’t isa [nandoon parin] kasi iba rin talaga ‘yung nabibigay na motivation nun sa’kin sa loob ng court na nakikita ko sila ate na nagwo-work hard. ‘Di sila naggi-give up, ‘di nagpapatalo,” said Malaluan.
“Syempre I wanna be in that level din kahit na parang there are like times na off ako pero alam mo ‘yung giina-gaslight ko na lang ‘yung sarili ko, which is really helpful kasi sobrang kailangan kong bumalik talaga kasi I know malaki rin ‘yung role ko sa loob ng court,” she added.
Even as she acknowledged her big role in the team so early on in her career, Malaluan said there was some surprise on her end, especially since she was among the youngest players in PLDT.
But with a lot on her plate, Malaluan said that she was just taking things from day to day.
“Syempre, I’m really honored. Pero, I took it one step at a time and di ako nag-expect kasi I know yung plans ng coaches, dun ako magt-trust din talaga,” she said.
Now, Malaluan will be able to integrate into her team a little more as they face a hiatus for a few weeks before the PVL resumes in October with the Reinforced Conference.