Jackie Acuña is learning what it takes to become a top middle blocker in the PVL behind her Cignal HD Spikers coach Shaq Delos Santos, and decorated teammates such as Riri Meneses and Roselyn Doria.
The Cignal HD Spikers are no stranger to developing talented middle blockers—and this 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference proved no different.
Despite not having Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili on the roster due to Alas Pilipinas duties, the HD Spikers have used their always-strong defensive line to propel them to victories, leading up to another semifinals appearance.
Leading Cignal’s frontline are not the usual suspects in multiple-time PVL Best Middle Blockers Riri Meneses and Rose Doria, but 24-year-old Jacqueline Acuña, who ranked third in blocks after the preliminaries with a per set average of .60 and total kill blocks of 18.
[Related: PVL playoffs: Cignal survives Marina Tushova's record 50 points in thrilling five-set duel]
In their thrilling quarterfinal match against the Capital1 Solar Spikers, Acuña scored eight points on five attacks and three blocks, including the game-winning denial against super import Marina Tushova.
“Super grateful, super blessed na nanalo kami ngayon na abot kami sa semifinals. Thankful ako sa teammates na nag-tulungan kami, lalo na sa coaches na ginive kami ng strategy namin today. Super thankful and blessed,” Acuña said during the post-game press conference.
But getting to this point and starting for the HD Spikers was no easy feat for Acuña, who turned pro with Cignal in 2022.
It took a lot of patience in training and one-on-one sessions with head coach Shaq Delos Santos, developing into the reliable middle blocker she has become.
Acuña also had help from her fellow middle blockers on the team, such as Meneses and Doria, who have a combined four PVL Best Middle Blocker awards as Cignal teammates.
“I’m with Cignal two years na so ngayon lang talaga ako naging starter. Even before, lagi ako nire-remind ni ate Ri [Meneses], ate [Roselyn] Dors na mag-training ka lang lalabas din yan. Sinasabi nila sakin before, hindi man ngayon pero dadating din ‘yung time mo,” Acuña explained to One Sports.
“Nag-extra overload kami [ni coach Shaq] kahit tapos na ‘yung training, kahit additional 20 minutes. Tinuturuan ako ni coach mag running [attack] kahit everyday running, running, running,” she added.
For his part, Delos Santos was proud to see Acuña and her teammates' growth as they moved one step closer to their title aspirations.
“I think lahat sila actually and good thing na na-apply niya [Jackie] 'yung pinaghihirapan niya, mga tinuturo namin and siguro ‘yung experience din ng mga senior dito na middle, nakikita niya kung paano yung pag-apply nito. So ‘yun, but lahat ng middle namin, ready lagi yan,” said Delos Santos.
“Again kay Jackie, sobrang happy and mas marami pa siyang pwedeng gawin and malayo pa yung mararating niya,” he added.
Meneses also shared this sentiment, as the three-time PVL Best Middle Blocker continued to encourage Acuña to make the most of every opportunity.
“Una pa lang naman eh pag may huddle ‘yung team lagi kong sinasabi kay Jackie na intayin mo lang yung time mo kasi once na dumating na yung time mo magsha-shine ka rin naman talaga,” said Meneses.
“Tamang timing lang talaga and ayun nabigyan na siya ng opportunity, so wag lang sana niya pabayaan kung nasaan na siya ngayon,” she added.
[ALSO READ: PVL playoffs: Riri Meneses bares what worked for Cignal in five-set marathon win against Capital1]
Being the youngest middle blocker on the team, Acuña has enjoyed learning and getting support from her ates as she continues to make a name for herself in the league.
“Talagang chine-cheer up nila ako, mino-motivate nila ako. Kung saan ako nagla-lack sa skills, talagang sinasabi nila nag-extra effort sila [turuan ako]. Minsan sila ‘yung taga-kalma ko. Nire-remind nila ako na kaya mo yan, dito lang kami,” said Acuña.
“Healthy competition kami at tsaka super proud sila sakin. Hindi ko nakikitaan na inggit or what, talagang pure love and genuine ‘yung connection namin. Super grateful and blessed na teammates ko sila at marami akong natutunan mula sa kanila,” she added.
With her rise as a formidable middle blocker comes another deadly weapon for the championship-hungry HD Spikers, needing just two more wins to take home the Reinforced Conference crown.