Ishie Lalongisip do not want to dwell on the individual citations she currently gets with her stellar play for the Cignal HD Spikers in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
After becoming the first-ever rookie to bag the PVL Player of the Week recognition, Ishie Lalongisip continued her stellar form for Cignal in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Lalongisip notched a career-high 20 points on 18 attacks and two service aces to lead the HD Spikers past the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 25-11.
Despite this feat, the 23-year-old spiker chooses to keep working hard in practice instead to address her weaknesses, with the guidance of head coach Shaq delos Santos.
“For me, hindi ako naka-focus sa mga recognition na nakukuha ko. Hindi ko ina-eye ‘yung mga ganoong award,” Lalongisip said during the post-game press conference.
“Ang nasa mindset ko lang ngayon is mag-work hard sa training kasi alam ko sa sarili kong marami pa akong lapses and madami pa akong kulang. Dahil doon, alam ko, sa tulong ni coach Shaq, mas na-maximize ko pa ang strengths ko,” she added.
[WATCH: Ishie Lalongisip dazzles with career game for Cignal | PVL Highlights]
Following the departure of veterans Ces Molina and Riri Meneses, Lalongisip is proving to be a worthy addition for the HD Spikers, who sit third in the standings with a 7-3 record.
In her last five games as a starter, Lalongisip finished in double-digit scoring four times.
For her, it’s all about making sure that her teammates’ sacrifices will not be wasted.
“'Yung motivation ko lang everyday is inisip ko lang 'yung pinagtrabahuan namin sa training. Kasi ayoko ring sayangin ‘yung pagod and sacrifice ng bawat isa lalo 'yung teammates ko kasi nakikita ko rin silang naghihirap and nagwu-work hard every day para makuha 'yung panalo. Kumukuha lang din ako ng lakas sa teammates ko,” said Lalongisip.
Ishie Lalongisip is all smiles during Cignal's match against ZUS Coffee in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Thursday, Feb. 13. | Photo (c) PVL
With more responsibility on her shoulders, Lalongisip knows that she will have to be in tip-top shape every time she steps onto the taraflex for the undermanned HD Spikers.
“Mas pina-prioritize ko 'yung rest and recovery ko ngayon kasi alam ko ring everyday sa training, hindi lang basta pupunta lang kami, alam naming may purpose and pinaghihirapan talaga sa ensayo,” Lalongisip said.
Cignal will have one game left in the preliminary round as they battle the Akari Chargers on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.