PLDT moves fast to plug middle gap, brings in Seth Rodriguez ahead of PVL All-Filipino tilt

PLDT wasted no time addressing a looming hole in its frontline, securing the services of veteran middle blocker Seth Rodriguez as preparations ramp up for the 2026 PVL season.

The two-time champions officially welcomed the 5-foot-10 net defender on Saturday night, marking Rodriguez as the High Speed Hitters’ first roster move of the offseason and an immediate solution to an early challenge.

Her arrival comes at a critical juncture for PLDT, which will open the All-Filipino Conference without resident middle blocker Dell Palomata. 

The 6-foot-3 cornerstone was cleared by the club to take an overseas stint with the Medan Falcons in the 2026 Indonesian Proliga, where she is set to play until May. 

Palomata is expected to rejoin PLDT once her international campaign wraps up, but the temporary absence created an opening the team was eager to fill.

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LOOK: PLDT signs middle blocker Seth Rodriguez from Chery Tiggo. : PLDT High Speed Hitters/Facebook via @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/MjSO4fkKqd

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Rather than wait, the High Speed Hitters turned to a familiar and proven option. Rodriguez, a former Chery Tiggo mainstay, became available following the franchise’s dissolution earlier in the offseason. Her experience and readiness made her a natural fit for a PLDT squad eyeing continuity rather than reinvention.

Rodriguez is among a wave of former Crossovers who have found new homes in the league.

Since Chery Tiggo folded last December, Cess Robles, Ren Peñafiel and Karen Verdeflor have joined the Strong Group Athletics stable, while Alina Bicar landed with Choco Mucho. Rodriguez now adds her name to that list, stepping into a system that values stability and depth at the net.

At PLDT, she joins a veteran-heavy rotation featuring Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Zen Perolino and Mary Anne Esguerra. The added piece gives head coach Rald Ricafort flexibility in managing matchups and workloads as the conference unfolds, particularly during Palomata’s absence.

With the All-Filipino Conference drawing closer, Rodriguez’s signing signals more than just a stopgap move.

It underscores PLDT’s intent to stay competitive from opening serve, reinforcing its championship ambitions while ensuring the middle remains a position of strength—even amid early-season adjustments.

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