MANILA – The Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws added another Western Visayas-based volleybelle to its roster – Ilongga Althea Maloto.
Baby Tamaraws head coach Rjay del Rosario said the former Ateneo de Iloilo standout arrived in Manila over the weekend and already participated in team practices.
He was able to spot Maloto while she was playing for local volleyball clubs Bingawan J.Blazers and Lady Titans in various tournaments in the region.
“Althea committed to the FEU Baby Tamaraws. She is going to be a vital part of our upcoming UAAP campaign,” Del Rosario told Panay News on Tuesday.
“Althea is an incoming Grade 11 player. She will play the outside hitter position and we can develop her all the way to college,” added the Ilonggo volleyball mentor.
The Iloilo City-native Maloto is the 12th Western Visayas-based player that was recruited to the Baby Tamaraws after Del Rosario secured seven players last year and four more earlier this year.
Among Del Rosario’s recruits last year were Niña Beatrice Maluto, Jasmine Therese Balasan, Kyle Pendon, Zchryren Kate Mediavilla, Elizza Anne Alimen and Fiona Marie Arroyo and Negrense Frenche Premaylon.
Del Rosario also snagged national U-18 girls volleyball team libero Mary Karylle Suplico, Maloto’s Ateneo teammate Robielle Silla, Princess Zyne Tumayao and Kieralyn Caballero this year.
“It is not by design na puro taga Western Visayas ang recruits namin but since I believe na madami talagang talented volleyball players dito,” Del Rosario said.
“There are too many quality volleyball talents and they just need good exposure to spread their wings and we want to give them that here in FEU,” added the Ilonggo head coach./PN
