Cignal’s match in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Friday was a trip down memory lane for rookie JM Ronquillo.
The reigning Open Conference champions faced the De La Salle-EcoOil Green Oilers – Ronquillo’s former team during his collegiate days.
For the 6-foot-2 opposite spiker, seeing the familiar Green and White on the other side of the court stirred nostalgic feelings about his time with the Green Spikers, their moniker in the UAAP.
“Actually, these past few days, medyo nagre-relapse ako sa team La Salle kasi ang dami kong nakikitang posts sa TikTok, mga edits ng fans. So nakaka-miss din talaga na maglaro para sa La Salle at sumuot ng kulay green na jersey,” said Ronquillo.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Despite the sentimentality, Ronquillo stayed focused, delivering eight points in the HD Spikers’ dominant 25-21, 25-12, 25-19 victory over the Green Oilers.
The win handed La Salle-EcoOil its first loss in the Invitational Conference.
Ronquillo shared his approach to handling the emotions of facing his former team.
“Hindi ko masyadong inisip. Sabi ko lang, relax lang kasi kapag masyado mong inisip na kalaban mo yung former team mo, mas papasok yung pressure tapos magkakaroon lang ng pangit na laro,” he said.
The Green Oilers had a strong start to the tournament, opening with four consecutive wins before running into the formidable Cignal squad.
When asked about his thoughts on the Green Oilers – led by Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao – Ronquillo expressed a mix of admiration and challenge for his former teammates.
“Medyo hindi pa proud kasi hindi sila dumikit sa amin eh,” quipped the former La Salle captain.
“Alam ko naman malayo pa yung UAAP at mahaba pa ang preparation. Hopefully, makapag-jell pa sila, mag-connect pa sila as a team. Sana umangat ang positioning nila sa UAAP.”
