FILE–Jheck Dionela during Cignal’s battle for bronze match against PLDT in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jheck Dionela is no longer the longest-tenured player of a club team as she has parted ways with Cignal after 11 years, taking her act to Farm Fresh ahead of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The veteran libero, who played for the HD Spikers since the defunct Philippine Superliga in 2013 until the team’s recent silver medal finish in the PVL Invitational Conference, was welcomed by the Foxies on Saturday.
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“After a long and historic run as an HD Spiker, proficient libero Jheck Dionela is ready to add a new chapter to her tale as she brings her talents to the orange side of things,” said Farm Fresh. “The newest Foxy in town is fast, slick, and bursting with experience.”
READ: PVL: Jheck Dionela says contentment, title chase key to Cignal tenure
After spending more than a decade with Cignal, Jheck Dionela signs with the Farm Fresh Foxies. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports https://t.co/LCstqQZR3E
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 19, 2024
Hours after Farm Fresh’s announcement, Cignal thanked Dionela for her “11 years of awesome” as she was the only player in Philippine volleyball history to spend more than a decade in a club team.
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“Thank you for your dedication, unforgettable memories, and unwavering loyalty. Wishing you all the best on your next fresh adventure!” wrote the HD Spikers, who saw another player sign to a Frank Lao-owned team after Jovelyn Gonzaga joined ZUS Coffee last week.
The 4-foot-11 libero was part of Cignal’s two runner-up finishes in the 2022 Reinforced and this year’s Invitational Conference, where they lost to Creamline in five sets.
The HD Spikers had the most bronze medals in the league with five since joining the PVL. After losing Dionela, they will lean on Dawn Macandili-Catindig, who signed with them last December and converted libero Judith Abil to protect the floor.
The 33-year-old Dionela will bring her veteran smarts to the young Foxies with libero Janel Delerio and spikers Trisha Tubu, Caitlin Viray, and injured Jolina Dela Cruz as well as Rizza Cruz and setter Louie Romero.
Farm Fresh has yet to reach the PVL semis since joining last year. They entered the Reinforced quarterfinal only to be eliminated by eventual finalist Akari.
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