Jovelyn Gonzaga, after a much-anticipated return to the Cignal HD Spikers, led the team to a four-set victory over the Petro Gazz Angels in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Tuesday night.
Gonzaga’s impact was felt all over the court as she contributed 13 points, 20 excellent digs, and six excellent receptions, rallying her team from a set-one loss to secure an 8-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 triumph at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
“Sobrang sarap, sobrang fulfilling sa pakiramdam na makalaro ulit ako sa Cignal. Tulad ng sinabi ni coach Shaq [delos Santos] prepared kami naisubo na sa amin lahat, kumbaga excited ako na i-laro yung itinuro ng coaches sa amin,” said Gonzaga, who last played for the squad in the 2019 season of the defunct Philippine Super Liga.
“Kaninang first set struggle e, ambagal ko talaga uminit so parang nung second set narealize ko na kailangan ko mag-step up kasi yun yung prinomise ko and lagi kong sinasabi na promise ko talaga na magstep up kasi alam kong kailangan nila ako,” she continued.
Gonzaga expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her by head coach Shaq delos Santos, whom she previously played under during her time with the Philippine national team.
The 31-year-old opposite spiker admitted her initial struggles in the first two sets against the Angels but managed to turn the tide in the last two sets.
Gonzaga played a crucial role in the HD Spikers’ five-point run in the fourth set, which allowed them to establish a lead and ultimately secure the victory against Petro Gazz.
“Kaya thankful ako sa tiwala ni coach Shaq alam mo yun yung pinaka importante kasi yung tiwala never talaga nawala kahit nag-struggle ako ng first set and second set pero andon talaga siya para sabihan ako na kailangan niya yung leadership sa loob ng court,” said the Philippine women’s beach volleyball star, who is also a listed Army personnel.
The product of Central Philippine University also expressed her joy at reuniting with familiar faces such as Ces Molina, Rachel Daquis, and Coach delos Santos in Cignal.
“Ang sarap din kasi sa pakiramdam na maglaro na alam mong may makakaramay ka, kada lingon ko sa loob ng court ay may dadamayan ako. Pagtingin ko ah si Ces [Molina] lalaban to, si Rachel [Daquis] makikita mo ay si Buday never to [susuko],” said Gonzaga.
“Kita naman sa lahat ng pinasok ni coach Shaq ang pinaka good thing sa team namin kasi lahat kilalang kilala na ni coach Shaq so pinasok niya si Rachel sa lahat ng part and nakita nyo nakapagstep up naman. Yun yung pinaka namiss ko na at last nafeel ko ulit na nakasama si Rachel sa loob ng court.”
