PETROGAZZ continued its PVL off-season refueling, as the Angels acquired multi-awarded libero Kath Arado and middle blocker Ria Meneses while getting low-key hitter Mean Mendrez back to the club.
Arado was PetroGazz’s biggest catch, as the 5-foot-5 defensive specialist will be making her much-awaited debut in the now-pro league.
Currently one of the country’s best liberos, Arado suited up for University of the East and was a co-UAAP Rookie of the Year winner with University of Santo Tomas’ EJ Laure in 2015.
Aside from winning the Season 81 Best Libero plum in her final year, the 22-year-old Iligan City native was also a two-time Best Digger
and a Best Receiver awardee for the Lady Warriors.
Arado is expected to be PetroGazz’s main libero in the season-opening Open Conference in April.
The Angels also picked up Meneses, who will also make her maiden stint in the PVL.
A former Tigresses force in the middle, the 25-year old Meneses will form PetroGazz’s frontline with fellow new recruit Seth Rodriguez.
Meneses and Rodriguez will fill the void left by Jeanette Panaga and Cherry Nunag, who are now linked up with Creamline and Perlas,
respectively.
Mendrez, on the other hand, will make a return stint to the Angels, where she played in the club’s inaugural PVL season in 2018.
A UE skipper in UAAP Season 82 which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mendrez will take over the position vacated by Jovy Prado, whose contract with PetroGazz expired last Dec. 31.
Two more slots are expected to be announced by the Angels later in the week.
