Returning grizzled veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga expressed excitement about her Cignal reunion with long-time teammate Rachel Anne Daquis in the Premier Volleyball League.
The HD Spikers signed the lefty opposite hitter to reinforce their roster ahead of the mid-season Invitational Conference scheduled to begin on 29 June.
Gonzaga will make her return to Cignal after three years.
"I'm really happy that I'm now back with Cignal," Gonzaga said as she gets back into indoor volleyball action after a two-year sabbatical to focus on her beach volleyball career.
The 31-year-old Ilongga played for Cignal from 2017 to 2020 in the defunct Philippine Superliga.
"I've seen countless battles with this team. And now I'm reunited with them and I'm really excited about our campaign in this conference," Gonzaga added.
"I'll give everything I got for the Awesome Nation!"
But what Gonzaga is particularly stoked about is the return of his tandem with Daquis, who was as excited to have her wing partner back.
The pair were instrumental in the HD Spikers' title run in the 2017 PSL Invitational Cup. Gonzaga was named tournament Most Valuable Player at that conference.
They also played a key role in Cignal's runner-up finish in the 2019 All-Filipino Conference and a bronze in the following Invitational Conference.
"Our 'GonzaQuis' tandem is forged by numerous battles we fought together," Gonzaga, who last campaigned in the PVL back in the 2021 Open Conference for Army, said.
"I know she'll fight for me and I for her and the team," she added.
"It's reassuring to be with her again and for sure we have the same goal – to win the championship!"
Signing Gonzaga was the latest move of the HD Spikers in the mid-season recruitment race following the acquisition of Ateneo de Manila University standout Vanie Gandler.
Cignal now has an even more formidable attacking crew with Gonzaga, Daguis, Gandler, Cha Trongcoso and Ces Molina in the rotation.
The HD Spikers are hoping for a better result after a disappointing sixth place finish in the season-opening All-Filipino Conference just a couple of months after taking a runner-up in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
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