PLDT’s rookie setter Angge Alcantara repaid her coaches’ trust in her first time by taking on lead playmaking duties to open the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference.
From starting her PVL career as a backup setter, rookie Angge Alcantara entered the starting six on Tuesday as the PLDT High Speed Hitters’ lead playmaker in their 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference opener against the NXLed Chameleons.
Filling in for Kim Fajardo, the Adamson product repaid the trust given to her by orchestrating 13 excellent sets as PLDT fended off the Chameleons 25-15, 25-16, 22-25, 25-22 at the Philsports Arena.
Alcantara’s playmaking was key in PLDT’s balanced attack led by a returning Savi Davison with 19 points and Erika Santos’ 15 points on 11 kills. Majoy Baron followed with 14 points, while Fiolla Ceballos added 13.
“Syempre nagpapasalamat lang ako sa tiwala ni coach [Rald Ricafort] sakin and ‘yun, in-embrace ko lang din ‘yung role ko and focused lang talaga,” said Alcantara, the seventh-overall pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft last July.
PLDT is fielding a leaner playmaking rotation in Fajardo’s absence, with Alcantara and the more veteran Angelica Legacion making up the depth chart. Fajardo is currently rehabbing from a minor knee injury and may return as early as December according to head coach Rald Ricafort.
“‘Yung sa injury [ni Kim] kasi, nasa rehab phase siya after operation. So parang sa milestones ‘yung binebase namin. Sa progression nya ngayon, hopefully mga December andyan na siya…Tancha lang based dun sa mga ginagawa niya sa rehab eh. Kung magagawa niya ‘yung fullcourt before matapos ‘yung November, malaki ‘yung chance,” Ricafort told The GAME.
On top of Fajardo’s injury, Rhea Dimaculangan also parted ways with PLDT in the offseason according to a report.
“‘Yun, wala naman choice,” Alcantara said in jest. “Tinanggap ko lang. Bukal naman sa loob ko and iniisip ko na it’s my time to step up.”
Ricafort was just as glad to see the young playmaker shine, given that her drafting was intentional on PLDT’s end to fill their needs.
“Sa draft hindi naman kami kumuha ng parang addition lang. So alam namin ‘yung roles na ifu-fulfill ng mga kinuha namin. So happy kami na nakasimiula na si Angge, and so hopefully maging consistent,” he said.
Ricafort, though, hinted at splitting main setter duties between Alcantara and the more veteran Angel Legacion in Fajardo’s absence. Despite this, the 23-year-old remains committed to improving her craft, and learning from the extended minutes she will get filling in for Fajardo indefinitely.
The rookie setter will also continue receiving guidance from Fajardo as she steps up. Fajardo, of course, is one of the Philippines’ most decorated setters with tons of individual awards and experience.
Fajardo herself actually vouched for Alcantara, telling The GAME, “Talagang willing to learn! And kaya niyang i-accept lahat nang mga sinasabi ni coach para matulungan ‘yung team.“
For her part, Alcantara adds, “Happy po ako and masasabi ko na blessed din ako kasi nandiyan si Ate Kim para i-guide ako all throughout sa trainings and games po. Sa tulong din ng coaches, sa tiwala nila sa akin and sa mga teammates ko po.”
“Mabigat ‘yung role na pinunan ko kasi wala si Ate Kim, pero happy naman ako na nakapag-contribute ako sa team…Siguro [need to improve] ‘yung connection pa between sa spikers ko and ‘yung decision making, ‘yung good decision making,” she told The GAME in a separate follow-up.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.