Now with the PLDT High Speed Hitters, ace setter Kim Fajardo witnesses the growth of rookie playmaker Angge Alcantara.
From seeing limited action in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, rookie setter Angge Alcantara has been given lead playmaking duties in the PLDT High Speed Hitters’ campaign in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
And as she further grows into her role, Alcantara has the privilege to learn from Kim Fajardo, who has acted as her eyes off the bench along with the High Speed Hitters’ coaching staff.
The 31-year-old Fajardo is focused on recovering from her knee cleanup procedure, but has nonetheless provided guidance as needed to the former Adamson standout.
“Oo naman [lagi kami magkausap]! Nag-sshare naman ako ng mga thoughts ko na nakikita ko sa labas, lalo pag sa game or sa training,” Fajardo told The GAME after the High Speed Hitters’ 25-20, 25-17, 25-19 sweep over the Farm Fresh Foxies on Tuesday.
Fajardo also vouched for Alcantara’s work ethic, describing her as a fast learner and a sponge for knowledge as a rookie.
“Ano siya, hindi siya ‘yung mahirap turuan! [Kunware], makikita mo, sabihin mo ngayon, i-apply niya agad, so kung ano man sabihin mo, gusto niya rin nakikita nung nagtuturo na ginagawa niya, which is super okay kasi coachable siya,” Fajardo shared.

A good example of this, Fajardo said, was Alcantara’s performance against Farm Fresh. The Adamson product finished with 12 excellent sets against the Foxies, along with four points as she faced off against her collegiate teammates like Trisha Tubu and senior Louie Romero.
Alcantara also finished with Player of the Game honors in the sweep as she continued to fill in for the veteran Fajardo against Farm Fresh.
“May pinag-usapan kami na naging effective [against Farm Fresh], hindi ko na sasabihin ‘yung details pero kung ano man ‘yung naging result sa stats, napag-usapan na dapat ganon,” Fajardo said of Alcantara’s performance.
As it stands, Kim Fajardo is one of Philippine volleyball’s greatest setters, being a former national team stalwart and a champion in both the collegiate and professional levels.
But now that she’s in a veteran role, the 31-year-old is confident in Alcantara’s capability to reach greater heights as a top-flight playmaker. For Fajardo, it goes deeper than seeing her younger self in the 24-year-old setter from Orani, Bataan.
“Meron [si Angge na] sariling siya, and kaya niyang gumawa ng sarili niyang pangalan,” Fajardo reflected.
Alcantara is currently averaging 3.41 excellent sets for PLDT, good for fifth-best following the likes of Clo Mondoñedo, her Adamson senior Romero, and veteran aces Gel Cayuna and Kyle Negrito. With her continued rise, Fajardo is just glad to be playing a role in Alcantara’s development in the professional ranks with PLDT.
“Syempre, masaya sa feeling na teammate ko siya maliban sa bata siya, masarap sa feeling na nakikita mong kasama ka sa progress niya,” the 31-year-old said.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League. Special thanks to Noel Zarate.