At 16 years old, Ho Thi Bich Diep is already getting a crash course in what it takes to compete in the PVL.
The Ho Chi Minh City outside hitter has been thrown into the deep end during the 2026 PVL Invitationals, sharing the court with seasoned professionals and going up against some of the Philippines’ most experienced players.
A Learning Experience for Ho Thi Bich Diep
And while the jump in competition has been challenging, Ho is taking every match as an opportunity to learn.
“I felt like I was being picked on quite a bit, and I was really trying hard to keep up with this high level of play,” Ho said after Ho Chi Minh City stunned defending champions PLDT High Speed Hitters, 28‑26, 18‑25, 25‑21, 25‑16, on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 16‑year‑old admitted that adjusting to the speed and physicality of the PVL has not been easy, especially as one of the youngest players on the Vietnamese squad.
But having veterans around her has made the transition more manageable.
“As a young player and a rookie on the team, it was definitely challenging. But I’m grateful for the more experienced veterans on the court who constantly reminded me, pushed me, and gave me the support I needed,” she said.
Ho Thi Bich Diep Breaks Out
Ho quickly turned those lessons into a breakthrough performance against PLDT, exploding for 18 points to help Ho Chi Minh City secure its first win of the tournament.
More than the numbers, however, the experience gave Ho a better understanding of how to handle the level of competition in the PVL.
“As I mentioned after the previous match, as one of the younger players, I really had a good experience playing alongside older and more experienced players. I was able to understand the high technical level, recognize different attack patterns, and learn how to adjust and adapt to this level of play,” she said.
That adjustment is already starting to show in her confidence.
With her teammates continuing to trust her, Ho was able to play more freely against PLDT and deliver when Ho Chi Minh City needed her.
“For tonight’s game, I’m really happy that I had the support and trust of my teammates. They allowed me to play freely and motivated me to accomplish what I did tonight,” Ho said.
Still, Ho Thi Bich Diep knows her PVL journey is only beginning. With more games ahead, the teenager wants to keep absorbing lessons from her teammates and opponents while finding more ways to contribute.
“For the upcoming games, I’ll continue to support the team, and hopefully, I can score more and contribute even more to our success.”
