From setting an example through her performance to igniting the fire in her teammates through words of inspiration, Jovelyn Gonzaga is embracing the leadership role for the Cignal HD Spikers in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
When the going gets tough, the Cignal HD Spikers can always count on the Bionic Ilongga.
In need of a crucial victory to pump life into its 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semis bid, Jovelyn Gonzaga took charge for the HD Spikers in a straight-set win over the Farm Fresh Foxies on Thursday.
The 5-foot-8 opposite hitter left her imprint all over the court with 17 points, 10 digs, and seven excellent receptions. Her all-around effort allowed Cignal to rise to 5-2 for joint fourth place, tied with the Petro Gazz Angels and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
“Naisip kasi na the rest of our games very crucial talaga. Minindset ko talaga sarili ko na kailangan ko maging consistent kasi kailangan talaga ako ng team. And today’s game alam ko talaga magpe-prepare talaga ang Farm Fresh,” Gonzaga said after the match.
“Lahat ng teams naman wala ka na dapat asi-asihin o ano man. Hindi ka talaga dapat maging complacent. So, all throughout sa mga day, even noong Holy Week, nag-reflect talaga ako and all kasi kailangan ako ng team.”
Aside from leading by example, Gonzaga also strives to be a guiding presence and a vocal leader for Cignal, a team once fueled by the unwavering spirit of her bestfriend, Rachel Anne Daquis.
The 32-year-old stalwart knows the weight of responsibility resting on her shoulders, yet she is welcoming it with open arms. After all, she wants to ease the burden on team captain Ces Molina.
“Ang leadership, actually, siguro nahasa na rin ako sa Army. Pero hindi talaga ako ganun ka-vocal unlike kay Rachel Anne Daquis. So every time na magkasama kami sa loob ng court kasi, alam kong si Rachel ang tagakalma and taga-relax, ako tatrabaho lang talaga ako,” Gonzaga shared.
“But this time, kailangan ko rin mag-step up kasi kailangan kong tulungan si Ces. And knowing Ces, very tahimik din 'yon and biglang transition as a team captain so ambigat din ng responsibility niya.”
For embracing such a leadership role, Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos has nothing but good words for his ever-reliable soldier.
“I think kasi simula noong in-establish ang Cignal and first time nakuha si Jov, parang hindi magiging normal na pag wala siya kasi yun ang nabuo ng Cignal na team. So, I think sobrang okay para sa amin, not only sa skills or whatsoever pero 'yung leadership niya, importante yun sa lahat ng team,” Delos Santos said of Gonzaga, who also represented the country in international beach volleyball tilts.
“Para sa amin, iba pa rin talaga pag kumilos siya bilang leader, bilang ate na rin sa team. And at the same time, experience. Grabe, indoor and outdoor,” he continued.
As the HD Spikers brace for a tough four-game stretch to end the preliminaries, Delos Santos is putting a premium on keeping Gonzaga in tiptop shape.
“Andami naming dapat ipagpasalamat and kailangan lang namin sigurong ibalik kay Jov is paano siya mai-recover nang maayos kasi yun talagang importante pagdating ng recovery and yun mismo sa game, doon siya mas kailangan,” the veteran tactician said.
Gonzaga and the rest of the HD Spikers seek to sustain their winning form when they take on fellow contenders Chery Tiggo Crossovers on April 11, Thursday.