The PLDT High Speed Hitters will be without Rhea Dimaculangan in the upcoming 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
PLDT High Speed Hitters veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan will sit out the upcoming 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference to enjoy her time off with her husband after recently getting married, the team announced on Wednesday, July 10.
After getting engaged in August last year, Dimaculangan and her boyfriend, Raymond Jomarcel Villarete, tied the knot on June 21 at the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Bolbok, Lipa City.
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As they begin their new life as a married couple, Dimaculangan will first take some time off from volleyball.
The High Speed Hitters will bank on the skilled playmaking of Kim Fajardo and rookie setter Angge Alcantara in the upcoming Reinforced Conference.
Alcantara began training with the team just a day after being drafted with the 8th pick in the Rookie Draft.
“Si Rhea [Dimaculangan] kasi recently got married and is currently enjoying her time with her new husband. Tayo naman sa PLDT very supportive diyan,” said coach Rald Ricafort.
“At the same time, kailangan natin ng setter na makakasama ni Kim [Fajardo], kaya perfect when it was our turn to pick, available na si Angge [Alcantara],” he added.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Angge Alcantara excited to learn under PLDT veteran setters Kim Fajardo, Rhea Dimaculangan]
Dimaculangan is expected to return to PLDT at some point in the future, where she will be welcomed with open arms.
“Moving forward, we will have three setters in our roster kaya hindi na tayo magwo-worry na baka kulangin tayo,” said Ricafort.
PLDT will open their Reinforced Conference campaign on Tuesday, July 16, against the Creamline Cool Smashers at 6:00 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.