Lalongisip shines as Cignal downs ZUS Coffee for back-to-back wins

Rookie Ishie Lalongisip continued to raise the bar for herself, delivering a career-best performance to power Cignal past ZUS Coffee in four sets, 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 25-11, for back-to-back victories in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries, Thursday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Determined to keep improving, Lalongisip erupted for 20 points built on 18 attacks and two service aces while also tallying five excellent receptions.

Her stellar outing helped the HD Spikers, who were coming off a straight-set win over Capital1 last February 6, force a tie with Choco Mucho for third place, both holding identical 7-3 records.

“Yung motivation ko naman po everyday, iniisip ko lang ‘yung ginagawa namin sa training kasi ayaw ko rin sayangin ‘yung pagod and sacrifice ng bawat isa, lalo na ‘yung mga teammates ko,” said the former Adamson standout.

“Kasi nakikita ko silang naghihirap and nagwo-work hard everyday para lang makuha namin ‘yung panalo. Kumukuha lang din ako ng lakas sa teammates ko,” she added.

After struggling in the third set, Cignal responded emphatically in the fourth, unleashing a dominant performance that completely overwhelmed the Thunderbelles.

Leading 14-9, the HD Spikers stepped on the gas behind Lalongisip, Jackie Acuña, and Vanie Gandler, igniting a blistering 11-2 run to close out the match in just under two hours.

Acuña provided solid support with 17 points, including six kill blocks, while Gandler added 14 markers built on 12 attacks, an ace, and a block.

Setter Gel Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 17 excellent sets while also chipping in eight points. Libero Dawn Catindig anchored the defense with 24 excellent digs.

Cignal looks to extend its winning streak to three when it faces Akari on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at the same venue.

Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee suffered its second straight loss, dropping to 4-6 and falling into an eighth-place tie with Farm Fresh.

Jovelyn Gonzaga, facing her former team for the first time since transferring to ZUS Coffee, led the Thunderbelles with 14 points and eight excellent receptions.

Chai Troncoso and Kate Santiago chipped in 11 points each, with Troncoso adding 12 excellent digs.

Top overall pick Thea Gagate contributed nine markers.

ZUS Coffee will look to bounce back against PLDT on February 22 in Passi, Iloilo.