MANILA – Cignal HD Spikers rode on a career game by rookie Ishie Lalongisip to score a 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 25-11 victory over ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference on Thursday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The former Adamson University Lady Falcons standout finished with a career-high of 20 points, built on 18 attacks and two service aces, to be named Player of the Game for the HD Spikers.
“Siguro nanalo kami sa larong ito dahil sa teamwork, kasi hindi ko naman magagawa ‘yun sa loob ng court kung hindi dahil sa teammates at coaches na nagga-guide sa amin,” Lalongisip said in a post-game interview.
“Sobrang sarap maglaro kasi alam ko na lahat kami nakakapag-contribute, kahit pagod na kami, kita pa din ‘yung smile and dedication nila maglaro at tsaka ibuhos lahat sa court,” she added.
Jacqueline Acuna also made her presence felt with a conference-best 17 points, including some crucial hits in the fourth set, while Vanessa Gandler contributed 14 points for Cignal, which improved to a 7-3 win-loss slate.
Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga finished with 14 points on her first game against her former team, while Ilongga Glaudine Troncoso and Kate Santiago added 11 markers apiece as the Thunderbelles dropped to a 4-6 record.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho Flying Titans (7-3) averted an upset try by NxLed Chameleons (1-9) for a 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-10, victory. Cherry Rondina finished with 23 points, including 21 attacks, one block, and an ace to lead the Choco Mucho.
Down by four points in the fourth set at 16-20, the Flying Titans staged a fight back behind Honey Royce Tubino to take a 22-20 lead before Rondina finished off the set with her attacks.
The Fighting Titans rode on the momentum in the fifth set, taking a 4-0 lead, but the Chameleons managed to cut the deficit to 3-5 before Choco Mucho widened the lead to 9-3.
The Chameleons stopped the bleeding with back-to-back points, but the Flying Titans responded with conversions from Isa Molde, Maika Ortiz, Deanna Wong, and Rondina to complete the comeback win./PN
