Jackie Acuña and Ishie Lalongisip have been crucial to the Cignal HD Spikers' continued success in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference
Despite fielding just 12 players, the Cignal HD Spikers continue to make the system work in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
A huge part of the HD Spikers' success has been the rise of middle blocker Jackie Acuña and rookie spiker Ishie Lalongisp.
The two combined for 37 points in Cignal’s four-set win over ZUS Coffee, 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 25-11, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, February 13.
Lalongisp had a career-high 20 points, while Acuña added 17 markers, which included six blocks.
[ALSO READ: Ishie Lalongisip refuses to focus on personal recognition: 'Mindset ko is mag-work hard']
The two have been thriving under coach Shaq Delos Santos after being given more minutes, following the departure of veterans Ces Molina and Riri Meneses.
“Talagang super motivated kami, kasi ilang years parang eto 'yung parang pinag-trabahuan namin. Hinintay namin, so talagang minindset ko na walang game na hindi ko ibibigay 'yung best ko dahil eto na 'yun,” Acuña said during the post-game press conference.
“Matagal ko rin hinintay na magkaroon ako ng playing time and alam ko mas ma-maximize ni coach kung ano ‘yung meron ako. Parang minsan hindi ko alam na nagagawa ko na pala ‘yung mga hindi ko kaya gawin before dahil sa turo ni coach Shaq,” Lalongisip added.
While the departure of Molina and Meneses surprised the team, Cignal’s rising stars knew that they all had to move on right away in order to continue their All-Filipino campaign.
“For me, opo. Kasi if mag-stay pa kami sa ganung nangyari, hindi rin makaka-usad ‘yung team namin. And mas nag-focus kami kung anong meron kami, ‘yung strength ng team, and alam namin na kaya namin,” Lalongisip explained.
“Of course, we should move forward kasi hindi kami mag-grow kung patuloy kami na mag-dwell sa mga ganung situation ng life namin, so tuloy lang. Pinagkakatiwalaan namin 'yung bawat isa. Kahit na 12 lang kami, nakikinig kami sa mga coaches namin and suporta lang sa bawat isa na kaya namin basta mag sama-sama kami,” Acuña added.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Jackie Acuña applies lessons from Cignal coaches, veterans for huge leap as middle blocker in Reinforced Conference]
With one game left in their schedule, Acuña and Lalongisip will look to continue their strong form for the HD Spikers.
Up next for Cignal will be the Akari Chargers on Tuesday, February 18.