PLDT’s high-speed chase to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) title gained two huge boosts with the return of Russian ace spiker Lena Samoilenko and the addition of Adamson playmaker Angge Alcantara.
Coming off three straight top-five finishes, the High-Speed Hitters are out to scale new heights in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in a bid to win its first-ever championship in franchise history since the club’s inception in 2018.
With the likes of Mika Reyes and Jovielyn Prado back in the mix, will Samoilenko and Alcantara prove to be the final pieces of a long-awaited title-winning puzzle for PLDT?
Lena Samoilenko on mixing firepower and willpower
Samoilenko delivered instant impact in her first stint as a High-Speed Hitter in the 2022 edition of the import-laden conference, which saw her lead the league in scoring with 26.6 points per game (213 total points).
Standing at 6’4”, height is might for one of this year’s tallest reinforcements. She stood her ground as PLDT’s go-to asset on offense after being hailed as the first PVL Press Corps Player of the Week this conference with back-to-back triple-doubles to her name.
The Russian winger fired a conference-best 34 points, 14 receptions, and 13 digs in PLDT’s statement five-set win over theCreamline Cool Smashers, before serving 14 points, 11 receptions, and 11 digs in a quick sweep of Galeries TowerHighrisers. Most recently, she contributed 20 points and 9 receptions against the NxLed Chameleons in yet another sweep.
And her one and only goal in her Philippine volleyball comeback? Win PLDT an elusive championship.
“I missed the team, and of course, I want to take PLDT to the highest places this conference. After my 2022 PVL stint, I went to play in Kazakhstan, and we became champions. I want to repeat the same thing in the Philippines,” said Samoilenko.
“Just like how winning is important for any athlete, I am no exception. I don't like to lose. But without losses, there are no victories. The main thing is to draw the right conclusions and not stop there. And no matter how hard it is not to give up, work, only work!”
With the Reinforced Conference already in full swing, Samoilenko vows to continue giving PLDT fans a treat the rest of the way.
“We will try to show our beloved fans beautiful and most importantly interesting volleyball. I want to say a huge thank you to them.Without their support, it would have been difficult. Fans are like the seventh player on the court!”
Angge Alcantara on filling those big shoes
From the streets of San Marcelino to the PVL court, Alcantara is ready to take flight for PLDT – with some big shoes to fill off the bat.
The former Adamson Lady Falcon emerged as the High Speed Hitters’ only pick in the inaugural PVL Draft at No. 8 in anticipation of a veteran playmaker and newlywed Rhea Dimaculangan’s leave of absence from this conference.
And it’s been nothing short of a dream come true for the 23-year-old setter.
“Until now, hindi pa rinakomakapaniwalanananditonaakosa PLDT. It feels like I’m living my dream kaya sobrangsayasa feeling and grateful at the same time kasi naging teammates ko nayungmga dating napapanood ko lang sa TV and yungmga players nani-lu-look up ko talaga (Until now, I couldn’t believe that I'm already playing for PLDT. It feels like living my dream – I'm just so happy and the same time grateful that I’m now teammates with players I used to just look up to and watch on TV),” Alcantara shared.
In her first two games as a pro, Alcantara carries the mindset of using the pressure of stepping in for her ‘Ate Rhea’ as added motivation to perform at her best.
“I deal with the pressure of filling in for Ate Rhea by reminding myself that Ate Rhea is Ate Rhea. Instead of trying to exactly replicate her, gagawin ko lang yung role nabinigaysa akin and magiging adaptable and open lang talagaako for feedback para mag-improve (Instead of trying to exactly replicate her, I will just do the role that was given to me and be adaptable and open to feedback with the goal of improving),”Alcantara shared.
“Sa tulongnarin ng support ng mga teammates, coaches, and magingniAte Rhea mismo, nababawasanyung pressure and mas nagiging confident akona mag-perform (With support from my teammates, coaches, and Ate Rhea herself, I now feel less pressureand am becoming more confident to perform),” she added.
Alcantara’s PVL journey is one she won’t have to go through alone as she’ll also be under the mentorship of another multi-awarded veteran setter Kim Fajardo, one of Alcantara’s longtime volleyball heroes.
“Isa talagasiAte Kim sani-lu-look up kong setters kaya I'm very happy na teammate ko sya and alamkongmaramiakongmatututunansa kanya. Madalasnyangsinasabisa akin na ‘Relax ka lang, kaya mo ‘yan’ (Ate Kim is one of the setters I lookup to, so I'm very happy that we’re now teammates. I’m sure I will learn a lot from her. She would always tell me, 'Just relax, you can do this’),” the young setter said.
She added, “Every time nalumalapit din akosa kanya asking kung ano ‘yung problem, bakithindi kami nag-ko-connect ng spikers ko, i-ne-explain niya then sinasabiniyasa akin kung ano need i-adjust and dapatgawin (Every time Iapproach and ask her what could be the problem why the spikers and I wouldn’t connect in game, she just explains to me what I needed to do and adjust).”
Continue supporting the PLDT High Speed Hitters on their journey at the ongoing Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference. Know more about the team by following them on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok.
hoto credits: Premier Volleyball League
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