Set to smash: PLDT finds dependable additions in Lena Samoilenko, Angge Alcantara

Meet the PLDT Excessive Pace Hitters’ latest faces keen to assist the staff bag their first PVL title

PLDT’s high-speed chase to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) title gained two big boosts with the return of Russian ace spiker Lena Samoilenko and the addition of Adamson playmaker Angge Alcantara.

Coming off three straight high 5 finishes, the Excessive Pace Hitters are out to scale new heights within the 2024 PVL Bolstered Convention in a bid to win its first ever championship in franchise historical past because the membership’s inception in 2018.

With the likes of Mika Reyes and Jovielyn Prado again within the combine, will Samoilenko and Alcantara show to be the ultimate items of a long-awaited title-winning puzzle for PLDT?

Lena Samoilenko on mixing firepower and willpower

Samoilenko delivered on the spot impression in her first stint as a Excessive Pace Hitter within the 2022 version of the import-laden convention, which noticed her lead the league in scoring with 26.6 factors per sport (213 whole factors).

Standing at 6’4”, top is would possibly for one in every of this yr’s tallest reinforcements. She stood her floor as PLDT’s go-to asset on offense after being hailed as the primary PVL Press Corps Participant of the Week this convention with back-to-back triple-doubles to her title.

The Russian winger fired a conference-best 34 factors, 14 receptions, and 13 digs in PLDT’s assertion five-set win over the Creamline Cool Smashers, earlier than serving 14 factors, 11 receptions, and 11 digs in a fast sweep of Galeries Tower Highrisers. Most not too long ago, she contributed 20 factors and 9 receptions in opposition to the NxLed Chameleons in one more sweep.

And her one and solely aim in her Philippine volleyball comeback? Win PLDT an elusive championship.

“I missed the staff, and naturally, I need to take PLDT to the best locations this convention. After my 2022 PVL stint, I went to play in Kazakhstan, and we grew to become champions. I need to repeat the identical factor within the Philippines,” mentioned Samoilenko.

“Similar to how successful is vital for any athlete, I’m no exception. I don’t wish to lose. However with out losses, there aren’t any victories. The primary factor is to attract the suitable conclusions and never cease there. And irrespective of how laborious it’s not to surrender, work, solely work!”

With the Bolstered Convention already in full swing, Samoilenko vows to proceed giving PLDT followers a deal with the remainder of the way in which.

“We are going to attempt to present our beloved followers stunning and most significantly fascinating volleyball. I need to say an enormous thanks to them. With out their help, it might have been tough. Followers are just like the seventh participant on the courtroom!”

Angge Alcantara on filling these huge footwear

From the streets of San Marcelino to the PVL courtroom, Alcantara is able to take flight for PLDT – with some huge footwear to fill off the bat.

The previous Adamson Girl Falcon emerged because the Excessive Pace Hitters’ solely decide within the inaugural PVL Draft at No. 8 in anticipation of veteran playmaker and newlywed Rhea Dimaculangan’s depart of absence from this convention.

And it’s been nothing in need of a dream come true for the 23-year-old setter.

“Till now, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nandito na ako sa PLDT. It looks like I’m residing my dream kaya sobrang saya sa feeling and grateful on the similar time kasi naging teammates ko na yung mga courting napapanood ko lang sa TV and yung mga gamers na ni-lu-look up ko talaga (Till now, I couldn’t consider that I’m already taking part in for PLDT. It looks like residing my dream – I’m simply so comfortable and the identical time grateful that I’m now teammates with gamers I used to only look as much as and watch on TV),” Alcantara shared.

In her first two video games as a professional, Alcantara carries the mindset of utilizing the stress of stepping in for her ‘Ate Rhea’ as added motivation to carry out at her finest.

“I take care of the stress of filling in for Ate Rhea by reminding myself that Ate Rhea is Ate Rhea. As a substitute of making an attempt to precisely replicate her, gagawin ko lang yung position na binigay sa akin and magiging adaptable and open lang talaga ako for suggestions para mag-improve (As a substitute of making an attempt to precisely replicate her, I’ll simply do the position that was given to me and be adaptable and open to suggestions with the aim of bettering),” Alcantara shared.

“Sa tulong na rin ng help ng mga teammates, coaches, and maging ni Ate Rhea mismo, nababawasan yung stress and mas nagiging assured ako na mag-perform (With help from my teammates, coaches, and Ate Rhea herself, I now really feel much less stress and am changing into extra assured to carry out),” she added.

Alcantara’s PVL journey is one she received’t should undergo alone as she’ll even be below the mentorship of one other multi-awarded veteran setter in Kim Fajardo, one in every of Alcantara’s longtime volleyball heroes.

“Isa talaga si Ate Kim sa ni-lu-look up kong setters kaya I’m very comfortable na teammate ko sya and alam kong marami akong matututunan sa kanya. Madalas nyang sinasabi sa akin na ‘Calm down ka lang, kaya mo ‘yan’ (Ate Kim is likely one of the setters I look as much as, so I’m very comfortable that we’re now teammates. I’m certain I’ll be taught quite a bit from her. She would all the time inform me, ‘Simply loosen up, you are able to do this’),” the younger setter mentioned.

She added, “Each time na lumalapit din ako sa kanya asking kung ano ‘yung drawback, bakit hindi kami nag-ko-connect ng spikers ko, i-ne-explain niya then sinasabi niya sa akin kung ano want i-adjust and dapat gawin (Each time I method and ask her what may very well be the issue why the spikers and I wouldn’t join in sport, she simply explains to me what I wanted to do and regulate).”

Proceed supporting the PLDT Excessive Pace Hitters on their journey on the ongoing Premier Volleyball League Bolstered Convention. Know extra in regards to the staff by following them on Instagram, Fb, X, and TikTok.

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