Palomata returns to fortify High Speed Hitters defense as AFC grind gets tougher
Despite a very successful career, Dell Palomata remains hungry for improvement.
Following her first international pro league stint in Indonesia last Sunday, Palomata has returned to the PVL to boost PLDT’s title chances in the All-Filipino Conference and the High Speed Hitters are giving their middle blocker the time to learn the system.
Coach Rald Ricafort wants Palomate to first reconnect with the squad, which survived the Farm Fresh Foxies in five sets, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-10, on Thursday evening at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
“She just arrived on March 1 and has only had one practice with us, yet she was already ready to jump into the game,” said Ricafort in Filipino.
“I told her we’ll take it slow first while she continues to adjust and get used to our system. But definitely by next week, I’ll start rotating her.
“It’s a big help that we’ll have someone we can rely on coming off the bench.”
Palomata played for the Medan Falcons in the Pro Liga Indonesia. And even if her side won just one of eight matches, Palomata believes it was a fruitful stint.
“My stint in Indonesia was good. I experienced a lot and I’m very thankful that the Proliga and my team there invited me,” she said in Filipino. “The style of play in Indonesia is pretty similar to the Philippines, so patience is really important. That’s something I learned a lot.”
Palomata has been one of the reliable players for Alas Pilipinas, winning the Best Middle Blocker award in the AVC Women’s Cup last year in the team’s silver medal finish.
Gaining experience from the national team and the international pro league, the 30-year-old Palomata won’t stop working on her game and building strong chemistry again with the High Speed Hitters.
“I still need to keep training so I can contribute to the team,” Palomata said.
