RODRIGUEZ, RIZAL – Rookie Jessa Ordiales delivered her best performance yet, helping Cignal edge past Creamline and stay in the hunt for the fifth seed in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday night.
After coming off the bench in the second and third sets, Ordiales earned a starting role in the final two sets. Battling her nerves, she helped the Super Spikers recover from a 1-2 deficit to claim a 25-18, 20-25, 22-25, 25-16, 15-11 victory over the Cool Smashers at Ynares Center Montalban here.
“Siguro, parang nung time na ‘yun na pinasok ako ni coach, sabi ko tatapangan ko lang,” said the 18th overall pick of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Ordiales finished with nine points — her best in the pros — joining forces with Slovak import Katrin Trebichavská, Vanie Gandler, and Rose Doria-Aquino to keep Cignal alive during that pivotal stretch and secure the win.
“Kasi, siyempre, kinakabahan din naman ako, pero nakita ko ‘yung tiwala ng coaches at teammates sa’kin. Kaya sabi ko, ilaro ko na lang ‘yung kaya kong laruin,” added Ordiales, the sister of National University ace Leo.
The performance was a major confidence boost for the young, versatile spiker, who has often struggled with self-belief. Having proven her capabilities when given playing time and trust, Ordiales vowed to keep pushing herself to become a reliable contributor for the quarterfinal-bound Super Spikers.
“Siguro po sobrang tumaas yung kumpiyansa. Parang na-realize ko na kaya ko pala, may maipagmamalaki pala ako. Tumaas lang po yung kumpiyansa ko na hindi ako titigil hangga’t masobrahan pa po… Mag-improve pa po,” said the former De La Salle University standout.
Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos praised Ordiales for stepping up when it mattered most.
“Nakakaproud din ‘yung team. ‘Yan, si Jessa din, pag kailangan talagang mag-step up. Hindi dahil napaganda lang ‘yung game niya today. Every day talaga wino-work out niya.”
