Cignal's Judith Abil. Photo from PVL Media Bureau MANILA – Judith Abil's inspiring story — from being a free agent to a Cignal defensive specialist and capturing player of the game nod on the first game back — is a reminder that perseverance eventually pays off.

Just a couple of days before the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, Abil did not have any team after getting released by the Nxled Chameleons in 2023.

Abil later on ventured in the PVL Draft Combine, an exercise which purpose was for teams to check out missed potential talents.

And then it was just all hard work for Abil — after getting contacted by Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos — until she finally secured a roster spot on the HD Spikers.

She proved her worth and conspired with the HD Spikers to essay a 25-18, 25-21, 25-16 rout of Sisi Rondina-less Choco Mucho on Thursday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

READ: PVL: Cignal HD shackles Choco Mucho to start strong in Reinforced Conference

"Nung free agent combine, nag-try lang ako magpasa sa e-mail. Then pumunta ako ng Day 1 and 'yun po, kinontact ako ni coach [Shaq delos Santos] na mag-tryout sa team Cignal. Nagtuloy-tuloy na," Abil told reporters.

She protected Cignal's side of the taraflex with 15 excellent digs and eight receptions that match.

Not just that, she's filling the void left by Alas Pilipinas star Dawn Macandili-Catindig, who cannot play for the HD Spikers due to national team duties.

Abil admitted that transitioning into a libero from being an outside spiker is challenging. However, it's a test she's willing to take.

READ: Rookies, imports take the spotlight in PVL Reinforced Conference

"Thank you sa tiwala. Sa mga coaches, sa mga teammates na nagtiwala sa akin kasi 'yung transition hindi madali, pero sa tulong ng coaches and teammates [naging] madali 'yung trabaho," Abil said.

"'Yun po, kailangan i-embrace 'yung position na binigay ng coaches sa akin, at magtiwala sa sarili. 'Wag mag-doubt talaga," she said further.

"Trabaho lang sa training, marami pang kulang [kaya] dodoblehin pa 'yung effort every training para makatulong sa team."

For his part, Delos Santos shared how Abil got his attention.

"Si Judith kasi wala pa ako nung una siyang dumating. Kung nasaan ‘man ako. Sabi nga ni coach, 'yung assistant ko, na si Judith daw ganito, ganiyan. So sabi ko, ‘sige papuntahin mo’ and then nung nagkita kami, ‘balik ka next week, observe kita ng three days,'" the Cignal mentor said.

"While ongoing ‘yung practice namin, ganda nung performance pero mas nakikita ko ‘yung grabe ‘yung floor defense niya, grabe 'yung receive and then serve, service niya. Every tune-up namin, gagamitin ko siya sa service hanggang sa parang sabi ko, 'malaki ‘yung potential niya sa libero kasi ‘yun din ‘yung kailangan namin ma-improve,'" he added.

More than the skills, they also noticed Abil's infectious positivity which could uplift the team.

"Grabe ‘yung puhunan niya eh, hindi lang skills eh. ‘Yung jolly siya, ‘yung pagiging aggressive niya, talagang all out siya 'pag training, ‘di siya ‘yung tipong mahihiya kasi bago. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, isa ‘yun sa hinahanap din namin sa player kasi kailangan may konting kulit na alam namin na kapag tumrabaho, grabe ‘yung galaw," Delos Santos went on.

"So ayun, maraming aspect so bukod sa kagandahan niya, ibang level ‘yung performance niya. Nakita naman natin."

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