The National University standout is officially in Thailand to join Mylene Paat and Nakhon Ratchasima and was welcomed by an immigration officer at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. 

“Big-D” will stay in a hotel in Bangkok for quarantine while waiting for her RT PCR result, but once it yields a negative result, she will travel to Nakhon Ratchasima on Thursday.

Manabat, who was signed to the club last January 24, is expected to give the Thai club more firepower heading to the second leg of the tournament of the 2021-22 Volleyball Thailand League season.

Manabat looks to boost the Cat Devil, which currently holds a 4-4 record in the fourth place after losing to Khonkaen Star in straight sets last Saturday to start the second round of the league. 

This will be Manabat’s third overseas stint for the National University standout, having played for Toray Arrows in 2018 and Kurobe Aqua Fairies in 2019 in the Japan V.League.

Manabat and Paat will make an on-court reunion after the duo led Chery Tiggo its first Premier Volleyball League Open Conference title in Ilocos Norte last year and a runner-up finish in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League last November.

Nakhon Ratchasima will face Nakornnont on Saturday at the Nimibutr Stadium.

The Philippines now currently has seven volleyball players abroad waving the Filipino talent namely Jaja Santiago (fourth stint with Ageo Medics), Marck Espejo (FC Tokyo), Bryan Bagunas (Oita Miyoshi), Jau Umandal (Bani Jamra), and Kalei Mau (Athletes Unlimited Volleyball).