PVL Press Corps POW Samoilenko eyes redemption in return

Lena Samoilenko wasted no time showcasing her fine form as she rallied PLDT to a rousing start in Pool A of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.

The returning 6-foot-4 Russian outside spiker delivered the High Speed Hitters to a spotless opening week, pouncing on the undermanned Creamline in a marathon thriller and turning back Galeries Tower in straight sets.

Samoilenko's impressive display of her all-around game earned her the distinction as the conference’s first recipient of the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week award presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of July 16 to 20.

She was unanimously voted by the reporters from online and broadsheets covering the professional volleyball league, which is streamed at Pilipinas Live App and www.pvl.ph.

Samoilenko showed the same scoring prowess she showcased in the PVL two years ago after firing 34 points that she complemented with astounding floor defense, tallying 14 excellent receptions and 13 digs to open the High Speed Hitters' campaign with a 16-25, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19, 15-12 win over Creamline.

The 29-year-old reinforcement is eager to lift her club from missing the semifinals in her maiden stint behind a new-look coaching staff, led by champion coach Rald Ricafort, and new teammates.

“Every game, I want to win and I want to be better and [help] my team. This season, I think it’s a much better staff, better team,” said Samoilenko, who emerged as the top scorer in the 2022 edition only to see her team place sixth with a 3-5 win-loss record.

Samoilenko followed her opening game explosion with 14 points, 11 receptions, and 11 digs in a 25-19, 25-16, 25-17 sweep of Galeries Tower on Saturday as PLDT shared the Pool A top spot with Chery Tiggo.

Ricafort credited their spotless start to the early arrival of the Russian, allowing them to train longer and make necessary adjustments after Savi Davison was ruled out of the mid-season conference due to a minor left knee treatment.

“Lena came in early parang nakasakto siya dun sa one month preparation so malaking bagay ‘yun samin,” said the PLDT coach.

Still, Samoilenko is far from satisfied, vowing to offer more to the High Speed Hitters, who will battle the Farm Fresh Foxies on Thursday.

“Every game we need to stay a little bit better, you know, step by step, and every after game we will [do] better,” said Samoilenko.

“We need to concentrate, focus. And we need to be better every game.”