FILE–Kim Fajardo is the newest PLDT High Speed hitter. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Veteran setter Kim Fajardo is thrilled to step out of her comfort zone and eager to bring back her old lethal form with her new team, PLDT, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
PLDT on Friday officially welcomed Fajardo as the first of its three big recruits this offseason alongside Kianna Dy and Majoy Baron, who are set to be unveiled by the team.
Fajardo expressed her hunger to thrive under the new system of coach Rald Ricafort after spending her collegiate career at La Salle and club stint with F2 Logistics both handled by coach Ramil De Jesus.
“I want to be challenged by this new system and I want to learn more,” said the 30-year-old setter in Filipino.
After seven years with the disbanded F2, where she won a couple of Philippine Superliga titles and six Best Setter awards, the Batangas native hopes to have a resurgence with PLDT as she teams up with former rival Rhea Dimaculangan.
“I want to bring back my [top] condition [from my prime]. I believe that I can do it as long as I have a proper mindset and with the guidance of my new coaches and teammates. I’m excited to be part of this new environment,” Fajardo said.
PLDT coach Ricafort is delighted to have Fajardo on board to reinforce Dimaculangan, but his main focus is introducing their system to their new setter with a month left before the first conference of the 2024 PVL season.
“It’s a very good problem. We’ll try our best to keep them healthy and ready and incorporate her into the system immediately. She’s a very big addition,” Ricafort told the Inquirer.
PLDT reached the semifinals in the first two conferences of the 2023 season but missed the second All-Filipino Conference after falling short with a 7-4 record in fifth place.