MANILA, Philippines — PLDT is going to miss veteran setter and newlywed Rhea Dimaculangan in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

The High Speed Hitters on Wednesday announced that they won’t have Dimaculangan in the midseason to give the veteran playmaker more time to enjoy her married life with her husband RJ Villarete, whom she tied the knot with last month.

“Rhea recently got married and is currently enjoying her time with her husband. We in PLDT are very supportive,” said coach Rald Ricafort in Filipino.

READ: Volleyball player Rhea Dimaculangan gets engaged

That’s why Ricafort selected Adamson setter Angge Alcantara at No. 8 in the PVL Rookie Draft to back up Kim Fajardo, who was the High Speed Hitters’ main playmaker in the All-Filipino Conference. 

“At the same time, Kim needs another setter so it was perfect when it was our turn to pick that Angge was available,” the PLDT coach said. “Moving forward, we will have three setters in our roster so we don’t need to worry anymore.”

Alcantara is ready to fill in the big shoes of Dimaculangan in her upcoming PVL debut.

“I’m ready. I know that ate Kim is there to help me fill in the role of ate Rhea,” the young setter told reporters in Filipino. “As a setter, I’m excited to learn a lot from them knowing that they are veterans. I’m willing to learn to be better as a setter.”

READ: PVL: Kim Fajardo, Rhea Dimaculangan finally get a chance to play together

Besides Dimaculangan, PLDT will miss Alas Pilipinas middle blocker Dell Palomata, while Kianna Dy’s recovery remains day-to-day.

PLDT leans on Savi Davison, Russian spiker Elena Samoilenko, Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, and Kath Arado in its bid to reach the semifinals after falling short in the All-Filipino Conference. 

The High Speed Hitters open their campaign against the Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday next week at Philsports Arena. They are slated in Pool A with Chery Tiggo, Farm Fresh, Nxled, and Galeries Tower.