All news tagged LeilaCruz

Leila Cruz is beginning a new chapter with the PLDT High Speed Hitters, but the 26-year-old opposite hitter admitted that leaving Capital1 Solar Spikers remains an emotional experience.

Cruz spent her first two professional seasons with Capital1 after being selected No. 2 overall in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft. Her move to PLDT marks the first transfer of her professional career.

The former La Salle standout said she thought she had already processed the decision before PLDT officially unveiled her. However, the reality of saying goodbye to the team that welcomed her into professional volleyball brought the emotions back.

“Super hirap talaga, as in. Sobrang tagal ko talagang grineve… After yesterday, parang bumalik ulit ‘yung emotions and sobrang sad pa rin,” Cruz said.

While the separation was difficult, Cruz sees her move to PLDT as an opportunity to revive her career and develop her game in a new environment.

“Napili ko ‘yung PLDT because I feel like super mahe-help nila ako talaga mag-improve,” she said.

Joining a championship-caliber organization was also a major factor in her decision. PLDT provides Cruz with a deeper and more experienced environment as she looks to earn a bigger role moving forward.

Her playing time with Capital1 had been limited, with injuries and competition for positions affecting her opportunities. The move therefore gives the former second overall pick a chance to reset and showcase her potential.

Cruz will not be entering an entirely unfamiliar environment. She is set to reunite with several former La Salle teammates and fellow Lady Spikers, including Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes and Jessa Ordiales. She will also join former La Salle teammate Alleiah Malaluan.

Cruz said the warm reception from her new teammates has helped make the transition easier.

“Very welcoming ‘yung pagtanggap nila sa akin and super thankful ako na talagang gina-guide ako ng mga ates and mga teammates ko,” she said.

Despite the sadness surrounding her departure, Cruz is choosing to embrace the change rather than dwell on the past.

“I trust na lang na everything happens for a reason,” she said, adding that she will still have opportunities to see her former Capital1 teammates during training.

For PLDT, the addition of Cruz adds another option to an already experienced roster as the High Speed Hitters prepare for the new PVL season. For Cruz, it represents an opportunity to rebuild momentum and establish herself in a new system.

After two seasons with Capital1, the former No. 2 pick now hopes that a fresh environment with PLDT can bring out the best in her game.

A difficult goodbye has given way to a new beginning—and Cruz is ready to make the most of it. 🏐💙

Rachel Anne Daquis overcame cramps and played a vintage performance, scoring 19 points, including the final one of the game to lead Farm Fresh to 18-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-12, victory against Capital1 in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, February 18, at the Philsports Arena.

Daquis, who came out of retirement last year to bolster the Foxies tournament campaign, provided the spark that the Foxies needed to turn the two-set deficit to a sweep of the next three.

“I just wanted to help the team and do my job,” said Daquis in Filipino, reflecting on her performance. “I struggled in the first two sets, but we adjusted as a team, and that’s how we were able to recover.”

The Foxies also missed the services of Trisha Tubu due to a back injury, making way for Daquis to take over and showed leadership by steering the team to the comeback victory.

The Galeries Tower Highrisers finally enter the win column in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference by beating the Capital1 Solar Spikers in a 26-24, 25-14, 25-23 sweep on Saturday, December 7, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex in Cebu.

Julia Coronel, the No. 3 overall pick in the inaugural draft, had her best game so far in the pro league as she produced nine points, highlighted by five service aces, including four straight at the start of Set 2. She also had 10 excellent sets.

Jewel Encarnacion, another Galeries rookie, put up a solid outing with 10 attack points to go with back-to-back 10-point showings from mainstay spikers Ysa Jimenez and Andrea Marzan.

Meanwhile, Leila Cruz, Coronel's former La Salle teammate, put up 14 markers and five digs that went for naught as Capital1 absorbed its fourth loss in five games.

The former DLSU captain finally won a game after failing to do so in their first four games. The win also broke the 10-game slump of the Solar Spikers since April.

In their Saturday match, Coronel brought out her effort in the young career that she has.