Angge Alcantara relished the opportunity to go head-to-head with her former Adamson teammates, steering the PLDT High Speed Hitters to a commanding straight-sets victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
With precise playmaking and a calm presence on the court, Alcantara orchestrated PLDT’s offense en route to a 25-20, 25-17, 25-19 win at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The 24-year-old setter tallied 12 excellent sets and even contributed four points, earning her Player of the Game honors.
The match carried extra significance for Alcantara, who faced off against a handful of familiar faces from her collegiate days at Adamson University. Now suiting up for Farm Fresh, Trisha Tubu, Louie Romero, Lorene Toring, Rizza Cruz, and Ckyle Tagsip were once her teammates, but for this encounter, they stood on opposing sides.
“Masaya lang din kasi parang ngayon lang din kami nagkita-kita sobrang busy. Happy din ako na maganda 'yung performance ko,” Alcantara shared after the match.
“Excited lang talaga ako na makalaban sila and na-miss ko din,” she added.
Alcantara’s steady rise as PLDT’s primary setter has been one of the most intriguing storylines of the conference. Even with the return of veteran playmaker Kim Fajardo, she has continued to make her mark, proving herself as a reliable court general for the High Speed Hitters.
The former Adamson standout acknowledges the influence of Fajardo, learning from the seasoned setter’s experience while carving out her own identity on the court.
“Every day naman pagka ginagamit siya ino-observe ko talaga kung ano ‘yung pwede kong makuha from her and ina-apply ko lang din kung anong nakikita ko and nao-observe ko sa kanya,” Alcantara explained.
Despite her growing confidence, Alcantara remains aware of the adjustments she still needs to make to become a more complete playmaker.
“Aware naman ako na marami pa akong dapat na i-improve sa sarili ko especially sa skills,” she admitted. “Siguro 'yung decision-making pa and pag-distribute nang tama sa mga spikers and 'yung connection kailangan pa talaga.”
