Former Adamson Lady Falcons star Lucille Almonte seems to have gotten her much-needed breakthrough in the professional ranks.
As the fifth overall pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, former Adamson captain Lucille Almonte was expected to provide impact for the rebuilding Nxled Chameleons. After all, she’s solidified herself as an all-around ace who can score as needed and can also be a reliable floor defender for the Lady Falcons.
But reality tends to be disappointing, and the saying holds true for Almonte’s PVL debut. Despite her high draft placing, the Davaoeña spent much of her first PVL season from the Nxled bench under then-coach Chen Gang during the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
Almonte, though, leaned on a mindset that allowed her to gracefully accept her reality as a PVL rookie. It also helped that her veteran teammates were there to keep her spirits up and reinforce the belief that a breakout opportunity would come soon.
“Personally, wala talaga. Kasi sabi ko, kung hindi para sakin ‘yung time na ito, edi next season,” Almonte told The GAME following Nxled’s five-set loss to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last February 13 at the Philsports Arena.
“Tsaka ‘yung mga teammates ko like sila Ate Chiara [Permentilla], sila Ate Bang [Pineda], sila ‘yung nagbibigay ng motivation samin na parang wala dapat ikalugmok kasi kaya natin lahat mag-perform.”
Today, it’s a much, much better situation for the 24-year-old Almonte in her second PVL conference with Nxled. With the arrival of Italian mentor Guidetti, the Adamson stalwart found herself back in the starting six, which she has repaid by showcasing her signature all-around play.
Almonte is currently averaging 6.7 points per game in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference but is the league’s fifth-best receiver with a 28.30 percent efficiency. Behind these averages are a number of double-double outings, including her 11 points and 14 excellent receptions against the veteran-laden Titans.
“Confidence talaga, as in grabe siya magbigay ng confidence!” Almonte said of Guidetti’s impact on her game. “Kasi kahit may mistake na kami sa loob ng court, inaamin niya na good mistake ‘yun and hindi bad mistake. At least tinry mo and alam mo ‘yun? Parang inaako niya lahat kahit hindi naman talaga niya kasalanan.”
The 24-year-old also described Guidetti as a coach who gives equal opportunities to each of his players, which motivates them to repay his trust when given playing time. On top of that, she’s also witnessing the positive culture that Guidetti is building with the Chameleons.
“Sobrang positive siya, sobrang fun niya magturo samin! Gusto namin suklian ‘yung hard work na binibigay niya samin. Hindi niya kami sinusukuan at gusto namin siya i-showcase sa loob ng court [‘yung natutunan] namin,” she said.
And with her pro career now in full swing, Lucille Almonte knows that she’ll finally get the experience she’s wanted following her lengthy stay with Adamson. Now an integral part of Nxled’s rotation, she’s more than determined to establish consistency in the professional ranks.
“Kasi ‘yun nga as [starter], mahirap kasi ‘yun eh. Alam mo ‘yun? Labanan talaga ‘yung [pagiging starter] kasi andun na ‘yung skills mo, and [consistency] na lang talaga ‘yung kailangan ko i-work on, pati ‘yung pagiging matured maglaro,” she said.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.