CIGNAL kept a strong hold of the No. 3 seed with a 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 25-11 win over ZUS Coffee in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The Thunderbelles foiled their own comeback bid with by totally breaking down in the fourth set after snatching the third frame from a surging Cignal side.
Rookie spiker Ishie Lalongisip had a career game with 20 points on 18 attacks and two service aces.
Mainstay blocker Jackie Acuna also went off with 17 points on 11 attacks and a game-high six blocks.
At 7-3, the HD Spikers drew level with fellow title contender Choco Mucho, with the former gaining an edge by virtue of match points.
ZUS Coffee dropped to 4-6 following its third consecutive loss this season.
It was former HD Spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga who paced the defeat in her first match against her old team with 14 attacks and eight receptions.
Ishie's worthwhile wait
As a rookie, Lalongisip had to grind it out to earn her minutes in a once-loaded Cignal offense prior to the departures of Ces Molina and Riri Meneses.
Now, she's taken over the scoring load and continues to prove that age and experience mean nothing for a determined young dreamer like her to make it big.
Her moment has arrived and there's no letting go this time.
"Matagal ko ring hinintay 'yung time na magkaroon ako ng playing time and mas ma-maximize ni coach (Shaq delos Santos) kung ano 'yung meron ako," said Lalongisip.
"Parang minsan, nagagawa ko na pala 'yung mga hindi ko kayang gawin before dahil na rin sa tulong ng team sa'kin.
"Ang nasa mindset ko lang ngayon is mag-work hard sa training dahil alam kong marami pa rin akong lapses (na kailangang trabahuin pa)."
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