PVL: Depleted Cignal get big lift from Ishie Lalongisip, Judith Abil
Cignal HD Spikers during a PVL All-Filipino Conference match against Galeries Tower.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos heaped praise on new starters Ishie Lalongisip and Judith Abil as they tried to help fill in the big shoes left by former MVP Ces Molina in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Molina and another key cog in Ria Menseses left Cignal in the middle of the conference two weeks ago with the HD Spikers claiming the pair did not respond to their contract extension offers.
Cignal hardly missed the services of the two after rookie Lalongisip and seldom-used Abil gave the HD Spikers a big lift in a 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 sweep of Galeries Tower on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
READ: PVL: Cignal says Molina, Meneses ignored extension offers
Lalongisip, the lone draft pick of Cignal and former service specialist, shone in her first starting role with nine points including two aces, and had six receptions.
Abil, who played libero in the Reinforced Conference, delivered seven points and nine digs as the starting opposite spiker.
“Siyempre malaking bagay para sa amin ito kasi yun na lang yung natitira naming players. And then pangalawa, yun din naman yung naging commitment ng lahat na kung ano yung role, ano yung kayang gawin, yung best na pwede niyang magawa,” said Delos Santos.
“Hindi naman kami naghahanap ng sobrang taas na level or what pero, kung paano ka magcreate ng puntos, ano yung pwedeng matulong sa depensa, sa block, or any drills na pwedeng maitulong, or any skills. And then, ayun, siguro yung pagiging fighter din nung dalawa.
Cignal also had no shortage of contributions from the middle blockers despite the departure of Meneses as Rose Doria-Aquino and Jackie Acuña scored nine points each. Gandler, libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, and setter Gel Cayuna provided great leadership for the team.
READ: PVL: ‘Shared’ leadership helping Cignal HD Spikers move forward
“It’s about doon sa players kung gaano siya ka-aggressive or gaano siya katapang para i-embrace yung challenge. Good thing kasi doon sa mga natira din, happy ako and proud din kasi gusto lang nila i-enjoy yung meron sila and opportunity na makapaglaro din talaga,” he said.
From losing their first game last December 14 to Petro Gazz — the final match of Molina and Meneses as HD Spikers, Cignal started the year right, keeping the second seed with a 5-1 record.
After seeing his team courageously take on the challenge despite a depleted line-up, Delos Santos said they won’t stop being a better team as they battle PLDT (4-2) on Tuesday next week
“Maglalaro lang kami ng kaya naming gawin. Best effort talaga kami sa lahat nang gagawin namin and siguro mas ma-appreciate namin tong ganitong opportunity especially ito yung lineup namin na lumalaban at lalaban at lalaban talaga,” Delos Santos said.
