Amid the departure of skipper Ces Molina and middle blocker Riri Meneses, a worthy newcomer has risen to the occasion as Cignal solidifies its status as a top contender in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

The seventh overall pick in the Draft, Ishie Lalongisip immediately repaid the trust and confidence given to her by head coach Shaq delos Santos following a stellar showing.

The Adamson University product was a revelation after dropping 13 points to help the HD Spikers arrest a two-game skid in a 25-12, 25-15, 25-17 rout of Capital1 last Thursday at Philsports Arena.

Cignal hiked its record to 6-3 and remained in the upper half of the standings.

For her consistency and determination, Lalongisip earned the distinction as the first-ever rookie to win the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of 4 to 8 February.

“I embrace the role that was given to me by coach Shaq and while there is pressure I look at it as something that is positive.”

“Every day in training, I persevere a lot even if it is exhausting because at the end of the day, I know that I am gaining something valuable.”

Lalongisip edged the more established Savi Davison of PLDT, Petro Gazz’s Brooke Van Sickle and Creamline’s Bea de Leon, as well as Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina and Nxled’s EJ Laure in a tightly contested weekly citation selection determined by print and online journalists covering the tournament, which is streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.pvl.ph.