Former Adamson Lady Falcon Ishie Lalongisip is shaping up to be a reliable hitter for the Cignal HD Spikers.
While it may look otherwise, Ishie Lalongisip admits being unable to reach her full potential with the Adamson Lady Falcons. Pressure often affected the 23-year-old in the UAAP, which prevented her from consistently showing her mettle in the collegiate ranks.
Yet today, she’s in the midst of a breakout with the Cignal HD Spikers in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, which has taught her to deal with this “huge enemy” early on.
“Sobrang grateful ako kasi natutunan ko siya i-handle [with Cignal], kasi parang nung college ako ‘yung pressure din isa kong malaking kalaban sa paglalaro, hindi ko nailalabas ‘yung laro ko,” she told The GAME after Cignal’s 25-12, 25-15, 25-17 sweep over the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Thursday.
“And sa ngayon naman, sa pinagtatrabahuhan ko din sa laro, nakikita ko naman na kapag inembrace ko ‘yung pressure in a positive way, lalabas doon ‘yung laro ko.”
Ishie Lalongisip was thrust into Cignal’s starting lineup following the departures of Ces Molina and Riri Meneses over the holiday break, averaging 13 points in the HD Spikers’ first four games for the new year.
The 23-year-old is fresh off a 19-point outing against the Creamline Cool Smashers, where the HD Spikers forced a fifth set despite their depleted lineup. Now with a bigger role, Lalongisip is grateful for the hands-on mentorship by head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“Super laki and super helpful ni [Coach Shaq] para ma-boost din niya ‘yung morale ko, like sa training namin hindi talaga siya tumitigil pag ‘di ko nakuha ko ‘yung isang bagay na pinapagawa niya,” Lalongisip shared.
“So kahit nahihirapan ako, iniisip ko na at the end of the day, ako din ‘yung magebebenefit doon, and pag nagagawa ko siya sa game namin, nakikita ko na na-aappreciate niya ako, kaya mas lalo ako ginaganahan maglaro and sumunod lang talaga sa sistema ni Coach Shaq.”
Ishie Lalongisip is now determined to seize the moment as part of Cignal’s starting six, a role that came earlier than expected in her pro career. It’s a stark contrast from her debut in the 2024 Reinforced and Invitational Conferences, where she came off the bench in the HD Spikers podium finishes.
“Pagpasok ko sa Cignal, service specialist lang ako, so parang ineexpect ko na in crucial moments lang ako ipapasok, so siguro parang nasanay na ako in crucial moments then parang ‘yung pressure na-embrace ko na siya. Then ngayon, parang dun na ako naggrow sa pressure na ‘yun,” Lalongisip reflected.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.