MANILA, Philippines – Chen Tagaod, a rising star in the volleyball world, made her professional debut for the Akari Chargers in a match that was significant beyond only the score in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour. As the young outside hitter embarks on her professional career, she has looked up to and learned from Cignal’s Ishie Lalongisip, a person she knew from her college days. The first game Tagaod played not only introduced her to the PVL, but it also showed her the road she intends to take—one that is defined by perseverance, gradual advancement, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.

During the league’s Vigan, Ilocos Sur leg, Akari and Cignal squared off, reuniting two sportsmen whose paths had crossed while they were still in college. After making the jump to the professional circuit, Lalongisip—who had previously played with Tagaod—has quickly become a household name. During her stellar performance in the previous All-Filipino Conference, she was named PVL Rookie of the Conference for her consistent double-digit scoring. As a key member of Cignal’s rotation and a dependable offensive contributor, Lalongisip contributed 134 points and delivered clutch performances on multiple occasions.

In her first appearance under the PVL spotlight, Tagaod scored three points. Her main goal was to soak up the experience and get used to the fast pace and intense play of professional play, hence her statistical output was low. She found motivation and a real-life illustration of the power of dedication and training when she had the chance to compete against an athlete she had previously collaborated with.

The Akari Chargers’ system integration with Tagaod has been planned with the long haul in mind. Mental toughness, game awareness, and adaptability have all been emphasized by the coaching staff, in addition to technical growth. Emerging players like Tagaod are given the skills they need to develop a sustainable career in a league where the tempo of play and tactical intricacy are typically higher than what they experience in college. During her early integration, she has had the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals like Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones, whose advice has been invaluable in easing her transition into the professional world.

Particularly among the league’s rookie class, the tale of Ishie Lalongisip has not yet died down. Lalongisip, who started out as a bench player at Adamson University, loved the arduous process of developing her skills and eventually became an elite performer when the pressure was on. Her steady play, adaptability, and capacity to meet the demands of the squad have propelled her to the position of PVL staple. After major roster changes at Cignal, she was given more playing time and has been outstanding ever since, earning the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week award and making history as the league’s first rookie to do so.

Tagaod has taken on a similar outlook after attentively watching Lalongisip’s growth. At the moment, she is more concerned with laying the groundwork for long-term impact than with quick breakthrough figures. Her situational awareness, offensive and defensive skills, and mastery of Akari’s tactical systems are all being honed during her training. She is anticipated to incorporate court space, defensive transition, and serve reception more consistently during the season, which she benefits from early experience to high-level matchups like the one versus Cignal.

Tagaod is seen by Akari’s administration as an integral part of the team’s future. The club’s growth philosophy prioritizes preparing young talents through gradual experience, excellent mentorship, and regular competitive exposure; thus, she may not get much playing time in the early stages of the competition. Tagaod is expected to step up his game as the PVL On Tour continues its next legs, especially in matches that need him to have good rotational flexibility and fresh legs.

In terms of strategy, Akari is still putting together a new roster that includes both established and up-and-coming players. In order to improve their performance in Pool B, the team has to identify and develop potential new players who can make significant contributions by the end of the competition. As the squad strives for consistency in serve reception and counterattacks, Tagaod’s development will be an important factor.