PVL: Jheck Dionela says contentment, title chase key to Cignal tenure

Cignal HD Spikers’ Jheck Dionela.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jheck Dionela believes contentment is the key to becoming the longest-tenured volleyball player with the same team for a decade as she is set for Year 11 with the Cignal HD Spikers in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.

More than her steady floor defense and leadership, the veteran libero has always been loyal to Cignal as she has been with the same team, which entered the volleyball scene as one of the pioneers of the defunct Philippine Superliga in 2013 before the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned club turned pro in the PVL three years ago.

Dionela, who turned 33 on Friday, didn’t feel that it’s been more than a decade of donning the red and white jersey and being part of the HD Spikers’ ups and downs throughout the years.

The secret to her longevity with Cignal? Contentment with the management and coaches, who have been part of her journey for the past 10 years.

“I guess the secret is feeling content with the management and I’ve been waiting for a championship to come at Cignal,” Dionela told reporters in Filipino recently at GameVille Mandaluyong. “I’ve been setting a new goal every year and I didn’t notice that I’ve been here for 10 years. And again, the management and coaches really do a good job at running things.”

The championship has been elusive for Cignal, which last entered the PVL Finals in the 2022 Reinforced Conference, where it got swept by Petro Gazz. 

One of the many reasons why the defensive specialist is still an HD Spiker is her desire to put a championship on top of her historic 10-year tenure.

With former F2 Logistics libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig joining her, Dionela found inspiration and healthy competition to become a better player as Cignal, which has seven bronze medals, hopes to finally get over the hump and reach the top of the PVL this season starting with the All-Filipino Conference on February 20.

Besides Catindig’s addition, the former University of Perpetual Help star believes that keeping their core bannered by Ces Molina, Vanie Gandler, Gel Cayuna, Ria Meneses, and Rose Doria under coach Shaq Delos Santos would be an edge this season.

“For me, it’s a big factor to keep our core intact. Our captain Ces has also done a good job taking over the position and filling the void left by ate Rachel which was a big burden,” Dionela said. “It’s a big advantage to us to have our core back because we’ve been together for so long. We added players but knowing Dawn, how she plays and her familiarity with some of the players here, we only need to make a few adjustments.”

In her 11th year this 2024, Dionela is excited to play in another competitive season after nine other teams beefed up their rosters from the ex-F2 Logistics players and Strong Group Athletics and Capital1 joining the professional league to maintain a 12-squad competition.

“The upcoming All-Filipino Conference is a different mix so I’m very excited to see what each team has to offer. But I’m more excited with my team because of our new additions Dawn and Jovelyn (Fernandez) and we want to maximize what we have.”