Kim Fajardo expressed gratitude to PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort and captain Rhea Dimaculangan for guiding her in her debut with the High Speed Hitters during the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Fajardo made her much-anticipated debut on Thursday, helping PLDT in dominating Galeries Tower, 25-22, 25-6, 25-9, for a winning debut at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
The former La Salle star, who transferred to the High Speed Hitters after F2 Logistics’ sudden disbandment following the 2023 PVL season, admitted that she felt nervous about her decision at first.
“Sakin naman ano, unang-una medyo hindi ko alam kung paano mag-adjust pero naging madali lang for me because of the guidance of my coaches,” said Fajardo, who tallied 11 excellent sets as the starting setter.
“I’m happy din na maganda yung naging result ng first game namin though marami pa kaming kailangan i-polish,” she added.
Luckily for her, Ricafort and Dimaculangan were there to help ease her into the High Speed Hitters’ system.
“Ako talaga nung una kinakabahan kasi it’s my first time going out sa comfort zone ko. Nung una kabado pero ngayon parang madali na, madali na para sa akin yung lahat kasi si Coach Rald naman lagi niya kong gina-guide,” shared Fajardo.
“Yung mga players, sila Ate Rhea, same position (kami), gina-guide niya ako. Okay na ako, sobrang hindi mahirap yung adjustment ko,” she added.
The 30-year-old playmaker out of Calatagan, Batangas also relished the opportunity to play alongside Fil-Canadian outside spiker Savannah Davison, who she believes is a great asset to have on the court due to her attacking prowess.
Fajardo said that she is also looking forward to sharing the court with injured High Speed Hitters stars Mika Reyes, Jovie Prado, and Kianna Dy, her long-time teammate with the Cargo Movers.
“Ano, sakin advantage talaga sakin yun na meron kaming Savi (Davison). So ako kumpyansa ako na lahat ng sets, kahit anong ibigay sa kaniya, kaya niyang gawan ng paraan and way para maka-point,” said the three-time UAAP champion.
“Sakin naman excited kami, ako, na makabalik sila and yun nga, makasama namin sa training and games. Pero of course para sa akin, magfofocus muna ako kung sino yung available. Yun muna yung goal.”