Jay Rack De La Noche had more than just a semifinal spot on the line—he had a personal score to settle.
The 23-year-old Cignal winger relived a past defeat when Kindai University returned to the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. Years earlier, De La Noche and the Philippine men’s volleyball team had fallen short against the same Japanese squad during a national team tune-up in Japan ahead of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. The sting of that loss stayed with him—and fueled his fire.
“Opo, noong 2023 po. Kaso, as a national team po ako, before Cambodia po. Kasi kalaban namin Kindai,” De La Noche recalled.
“Siguro, yung pride ko sa loob ng team. Kasi [nakalaban] namin Japan. Gusto ko din na matalo sila. Kasi dati noong college po ako, hindi po kami basta-basta nananalo sa akin lang, katulad nung Kindai,” he added.
On Monday, De La Noche got his redemption. He erupted for 22 points on 19 attacks and added three kill blocks, powering Cignal past Kindai University, 25-20, 25-21, 24-26, 25-18. The win not only marked sweet revenge but also kept the defending champions alive in the race for the gold medal match.
“Ayun ‘yung ginawa ko, ‘yung mindset ko ‘di ako papatalo kasi gusto ko tumulong sa team ko at mag-guide din sa mga kuya,” De La Noche said.
The former University of Santo Tomas standout admitted the journey back wasn’t easy. Cignal had just suffered a shocking straight-set loss to Savouge, leaving the team with limited time to regroup. Yet De La Noche’s determination—and his sense of pride—shone through.
“Medyo mahirap kasi po eh. Kasi after ng loss namin sa Savouge, wala po kaming ensayo. Siguro, yung ginawa namin, yung mindset namin na hindi pa tapos yung laban kasi kaya pa namin manalo, tsaka yung pride talaga namin at saka puso,” he said.
Looking ahead to their must-win clash against ProVolley Academy of Australia on Thursday, De La Noche vowed to maintain the same intensity and focus.
“Patuloy pa rin yung trabaho namin sa ensayo, at sa akin po, tuloy-tuloy pa din yung mindset lagi sa game para hindi po ako mawawala sa in-game, tsaka tulong na din sa mga kuya. Maganda po kasi, pag nag-enjoy po kami sa loob ng court, wala masyadong pressure,” he said.
