Cignal rookie Ishie Lalongisip proved she belonged after a career performance in the HD Spikers’ heartbreaking five-set loss to defending champions Creamline in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference last Saturday.
With a bigger role following the departure of team captain Ces Molina, Lalongisip left it all on the court as she led Cignal back from a 0-2 deficit against the unbeaten Cool Smashers.
Unfortunately, the depleted HD Spikers were unable to complete their comeback. They lost, 19-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-23, 9-15, to Creamline, marking their third loss in the all-local tilt.
“Ang motivation ko lang po that game against Creamline ay ‘yung teammates and coaches ko po. I know in myself kung gaano kami lahat naghihirap at nagsa-sacrifice to prepare every game,” said the former Adamson University standout.
“Also, gusto ko lang din na bawat game ko is all-out (ako), lalo na champion team ‘yung nakaharap namin. Iba ‘yung crowd and atmosphere kapag sila lagi ang kalaban, kaya super excited din ako pa lagi kapag sila ‘yung kaharap.”
(C) PVL Images
Lalongisip finished with a career-best 19 points, all on attacks, in the loss to Creamline.
She attributed her breakout performance to the hard work she has put in during training. While Cignal fell short of a win, the 23-year-old outside hitter believes the experience gained from the match will prove invaluable in their upcoming games.
“I am so happy kasi nagawa and nalabas ko sa game ‘yung pinagtatrabahuhan namin sa trainings. Sumugal na lang din talaga ako and nilaban ko ‘yung teammates and coaches ko,” said Lalongisip.
“Kinapos ‘man kami, pero for me we already won kasi ang daming learnings and also ‘yung experience sa ganoong laro is pwede ko pang madala sa mga upcoming games namin.”
Lalongisip also emphasized her focus on stepping up to help the shorthanded HD Spikers, who are now down to 12 players following the departures of Molina and Riri Meneses.
“Personally, I am pushing myself talaga to fill in the gap sa position na vacant. I see that in a positive way naman kasi and ‘yun ‘yung ginagawa kong motivation every day to improve myself inside and outside ng court,” she said.
“Pinapakondisyon ko talaga ‘yung self ko and also the discipline na need ko gawin everyday for me din to keep my body healthy and fit para makatulong sa team sa best way na mabibigay ko.”
