PLDT changes PVL team name to PayMaya

MANILA, Philippines – PLDT has given way to PayMaya as its brand name when it sees action in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference starting May.

Coach Roger Gorayeb said they will parade the same core of the Bali Pure squad he mentored to snare last year’s Open Conference title. The team will be spearheaded by San Sebastian’s Grethcel Soltones and Alyssa Eroa, National University’s Jasmine Nabor, Aiko Urdas and Jorelle Singh, Far Eastern University’s Jerilli Malabanan and Angel Cayuna, and seasoned libero Tatan Pantone.

Gorayeb has also enlisted San Sebastian’s Kath Villegas and Joyce Sta. Rita, FEU’s Czarina Grace Carandang and Celine Domingo to further beef up an already loaded core.

“It’s a corporate decision to change our team’s name,” said Gorayeb referring to an MVP Group of Companies-owned app that people use in convenience stores, pawnshops and malls to pay things online as an alternative to a credit card.

“But we will bring in the same team we announced last January, with some few changes,” he added.

The only player who wasn’t able to join Gorayeb from that Bali Pure squad was Risa Sato, who signed a one-year contract with the Creamline Cool Smashers where she will join Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, Melissa Gohing and recently crowned Bb. Pilipinas Globe Michele Gumabao.

Although it is still in the process of acquiring a pair of imports, Pay Maya as has emerged this early as one of the teams to watch out for like powerhouse Creamline, Pocari Sweat-Air Force and Perlas-BanKo.

“We’re still looking for the right imports to fit our lineup. Hopefully, we could give them a good fight,” said Gorayeb.

Also joining this conference are the Petro Gazz Angels and Tacloban Fighting Warays.