However, the terms of the deal were not disclosed by both parties.

Dimaculangan is the latest addition to the pool after the PLDT named more solid acquisitions, led by Isa Molde, Marist Layug, Eli Soyud, Chin Basas, Yeye Gabarda, and Nieza Viray.

Gorayeb believes that Dimaculangan is the team’s most important signing as they start to prepare for the PVL Open Conference in April at Inspire Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

The multi-awarded setter will reunite with PLDT head coach Roger Gorayeb after six years after teaming up for the Philippine women’s volleyball team during the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.

“Si Rhea ang pinaka-experienced sobrang humble ng batang yan. Yan yung pinakaimportante sa akin, yung pagkakakuha ko kay Rhea kasi setter yan e,” said the PLDT coach to Spin.ph.

“Siya yung magiging cornerstone ko kasi nakaasa ako sa leadership ni Rhea kasi medyo senior siya dito sa mga player dito e.”

“Pero dahil sa medyo kalmante lang yung batang yan nakikita ko na madaling madali siyang makakaadjust sa mga bata,” he added.

PLDT will be Dimaculangan’s fifth club team in her eight years in the volleyball scene. She played for Air Force (2014 to 2015), Foton (2015-2017), and Petron (2017-2019) before her move last year to Generika-Ayala but only played three matches in the Grand Prix after the league pushed to shelved the remainder of the season last April due to pandemic, and forced her club to file a leave from the Philippine Super Liga.

Gorayeb is pleased with the changes of the team, which still has Shola Alvarez, Jorelle Singh, Aiko Urdas, Joyce Sta. Rita, Vira Guillema, Kath Villegas, and libero Alyssa Eroa.

Moreover, building their team chemistry won’t be hard as all the volleyball players have been limited to online individual workouts for almost a year.

“Looking forward ako na maging maganda yung performance namin this time kasi medyo maganda ganda na rin yung line up,” Gorayeb said. “Aayusin ko pa kasi ang hirap niyan, katulad ng iba first time kong hahawakan, yung iba naman kilala sila pero hindi sila yung kaclose ng mga players so napakalaking adjustment kaya kailangan makapag ensayo na sana.”