Royse Tubino reveals connection that led to PLDT sign-up

It took a push from a former national team member for Honey Royse Tubino to try out for the PLDT High Speed Hitters, with the Army Black Mamba Lady Troopers sitting out of the PVL Invitational Conference.

That was setter Rhea Dimaculangan.

"Try mong pumunta sa PLDT," Tubino recalled to One Sports' The Game on Monday. "Since wala si Army, nag-try ako kay Coach Rald [Ricafort]."

"Thankful ako na nagtiwala sila sa akin to be part of the PLDT High Speed Hitters," she added. "Alam natin na PLDT is a competitive team in the PVL."

The Lady Troopers went winless in the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference due to the absences of several key players, such as Jovelyn Gonzaga.

While the High Speed Hitters—under the guidance of Rald Ricafort—finished the preliminaries in the third spot but fell to the Petro Gazz Angels and the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers to miss out on a podium finish.

Ricafort believes the extra firepower from the veteran outside hitter will be enough to flank PLDT, following the release of Ysa Jimenez.

"Malaking bagay 'yung power niya," Ricafort said in a PLDT statement. "Gusto ko din 'yung intensity niya."

"And siyempre as a veteran, may leadership 'yan na kailangan natin lalo 'pag dikitan."

More fire. More power. Just what we needed.

Veteran outside hitter Royse Tubino joins the High Speed Hitters for the upcoming PVL Invitational Conference!

Welcome to the PLDT fam, Royse! Let's go! 🫡??🏐💨 #highspeedUPGRADE pic.twitter.com/pwcVrf49Tl

— PLDT High Speed Hitters (@speedhitters) May 30, 2023

Tubino though will be facing a lot of pressure as a transferee, as she will be facing former teammate Jovelyn Gonzaga, who is now with the Cignal HD Spikers. There will also be new squads expected to join the Invitational Conference such as the Foton Tornadoes, Farm Fresh Foxies, and Gerflor Defenders.

"Siguro, overwhelmed," Tubino told The Game, "Kasi lahat ng teams, ang daming bago."

The Army has been supportive in her move, the veteran shared.

And in her practices with PLDT, Tubino described the vibe with the High Speed Hitters.

"Sobrang cool ng coaches. Relaxed lang," she said. "'Yung players, 'maglaro lang kayo.' Sila [coaches] bahala sa overall."

Tubino adds that she's ready to share her knowledge as a vet to the scrappy High Speed Hitters, who have made a resurgence with Jovy Prado, Mean Mendrez, and Mich Morente.

"'Di ako ang pinaka-best player sa Pilipinas. Kailangan ko din yung tulong nila," Tubino said. "Share knowledge lang tsaka consistency."