Jack Kalingking feels determined to turn things around for PGJC-Navy’s campaign in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
He is dedicating the remainder of their campaign to his ailing teammate Joeven Dela Vega, who is currently battling a lung condition that has sidelined him for the conference.
“Para kay Joeven (Dela Vega) talaga ‘yung mga pinaghihirapan namin. Alam namin kulang ‘yung tao namin, pero wala kaming magagawa. Bibigay pa rin ‘yung best namin para kay Joeven at sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa PGJC-Navy,” said Kalingking.
Dela Vega missed the entire first round before ultimately being ruled out for the rest of the conference due to his condition.
Adding to Navy’s struggles, veterans Greg Dolor, Omar Lioc, and Marvin Hairami — who had stepped up in Dela Vega’s absence — were pulled out of the squad to undergo basic training for their respective promotions.
Kalingking himself missed the previous Invitational Conference for the same reason.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“‘Yung last conference, gustong gusto ko maglaro nun. Pero kasi, wala akong magagawa kasi nasa schooling ako nun. Kailangan talaga ‘yun, priority talaga sa Navy para sa promotion,” said the former Perpetual star and Alas Pilipinas mainstay.
“Ngayon, siguro ‘yung matutulong ko sa team is ‘yung leadership sa loob ng court at sa labas,” he added.
Despite losing their last four outings, the Sealions remain in contention for a playoff spot with a 1-5 record, currently tied with Alpha Insurance and VNS-Laticrete for the fourth and fifth spots.
Kalingking believes that if Navy wants to turn things around for Dela Vega, the team must rally together, stay focused, and play with greater intensity and determination moving forward.
“Siguro ano, simulan muna namin sa character ng bawat isa. ‘Yun kasi ‘yung nagkakaproblema ngayon eh. ‘Yung skills nandiyan na eh. ‘Yun ‘yung laging sinasabi sa’min ni coach George (Pascua), ng mga coaches namin,” said the former Spikers’ Turf Best Libero.
“Talagang dapat pagkatiwalaan ‘yung sarili kasi ‘yung skills nandiyan na eh.”
