By Leiniel A. Santos

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Shiela Mae Kiseo closed her collegiate campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) after signing with PLDT High Speed Hitters in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) announced in their Facebook post yesterday, January 20.

The green-and-gold volleybelle started her playing year as Lady Tamaraw last season 82 where they only got to play two games because of the pandemic.

After the suspended season 83, Kiseo replaced Lycha Mae Ebon who left in the middle of the season as the team captain of the Morayta-based indoor volleyball team in season 84 which continued through season 85.

In season 86, the five-foot-six spiker went out of her comfort zone as she joined the beach volleyball squad alongside Melody Pons and Gerzel Petallo.

During the battle for the third match, Kiseo stepped up big time which helped the team take home the bronze title after Petallo suffered a knee injury.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Kiseo expressed her gratitude to the people who helped her throughout her UAAP career. 

“Sobrang blessed and thankful ako sa lahat ng mga taong ‘di nagsawang gabayan ako sa tama, lalo na kay Lord na nagsisilbing lakas ko sa pang-araw-araw na challenges na haharapin ko. Sobrang saya ngayon [ng] batang Shiela dati na nangangarap lang na makapasok sa ganitong mga team (I am very blessed and thankful to all the people who never got tired of guiding me to the right path, especially to the Lord who serves as my strength in the daily challenges I face. The young Shiela who used to only dream of getting into these kinds of teams is so happy now),” she said. 

Kiseo also added that she chose PLDT as it is one of the teams that is well-known with its upstanding image. 

“Kaya ko talaga pinili ang PLDT kasi isa siya sa mga kilala and maganda rin na company. Also, dahil din sa mga makakasama ko na veterans and coaches na magagaling (I really chose PLDT because it is one of the well-known and exemplary companies. Also, because of the great veterans and coaches I will be with),” she stated. 

Kiseo will be the youngest player to join the veteran-laden team, together with Filipino-Canadian outside hitter Savannah Davidson.

(Photo courtesy of PLDT High Speed Hitters Facebook page)