Months after standing on the opposite side of the net against Creamline in the finals, Ishie Lalongisip now finds herself wearing the Cool Smashers’ colors in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League On Tour Showdown.
Lalongisip was one of Cignal’s key contributors off the bench during the season-ending All-Filipino Conference, where the Super Spikers pushed the Cool Smashers to the limit before eventually falling in the championship series.
For the 24-year-old outside hitter, the move still feels surreal after spending years battling Creamline in some of the PVL’s most memorable finals.
“Sobrang saya kasi dati kapag Creamline-Cignal, parang ano rin siya, sobrang exciting na rin,” said Lalongisip.
As she begins her journey with the Cool Smashers, Lalongisip is eager to embrace the team’s championship culture and learn the winning habits that have made Creamline the PVL’s most successful franchise.
(C) PVL
“Ngayon, nakasama ko na sina Ate Jema, then ‘yung mga iba kong teammates. Super excited na ako at looking forward po ako sa lahat ng magiging learnings ko sa Creamline,” she said.
Lalongisip also pointed to the composure that has long stood out to her whenever she faced Creamline.
“Kahit sa pressured moments, ‘yung Creamline talaga nakikita ko na intact sila at happy-happy lang sa paglalaro,” she added.
In her preseason debut with Creamline, the former Rookie of the Conference stepped up in the absence of several veteran stars. Her performance helped the Cool Smashers defeat Nxled, 25-18, 25-23, 16-25, 25-19, last Wednesday night at the Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.
Lalongisip made an immediate impact, finishing with nine points off the bench as Creamline showcased its depth despite missing veteran spikers Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez.
Adding to the significance of her debut, Lalongisip also got the opportunity to face former Cignal teammates Gel Cayuna and Jackie Acuña, who are now with the Chameleons.
“Sobrang saya. Natatawa lang nila kami lang una, tapos kapag nagkakatapat kami sa harap ng net, parang smile-smile lang tapos tingin-tingin, eye contact tapos tawa-tawa lang din,”she said.
“Nakaka-miss sila kasama.”
