From one of the youngest faces on a stacked Cignal roster to a go-to leader for AEP Cabstars, Jay Rack Dela Noche’s volleyball journey has been a fast track to maturity.
Fresh out of University of Santo Tomas in 2025, Dela Noche cut his teeth in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference with the now-defunct Cignal team. Back then, opportunities were scarce in a 19-man lineup loaded with wing spikers, and Dela Noche learned to adapt, absorb, and grow under the guidance of veteran teammates.
Now, in the 2026 Open Conference, Dela Noche is no longer the rookie finding his place—he is the one others look to when the game is on the line.
“Siguro po nagiging motivation ko yung experience ko sa Cignal na maisama ko dito sa Cabstars, maidagdag ko sa sistema namin,” he shared, embodying the kind of leadership he has taken on in just his second conference under Sports Vision, with support from sponsors like Alpha Insurance, Black Mamba, Premiere EMS, and ArenaPlus.
“Kailangan ko po kasi tumulong sa team, kailangan talaga kaming maging matibay kasi dati po sa Cignal, mga kuya ko po kasi ang naggaguide sa akin, sa ngayon po ako naman po ‘yung maggaguide sa ibang kasama ko,” Dela Noche continued, reflecting on his shift from mentee to mentor.
And he has backed up his words with performances on the court. Despite a tough straight-set loss to Alpha Insurance, Dela Noche dropped 14 points, showing flashes of his scoring potential. He then turned up the heat in a three-set win over VNS Always Bright Laticrete, firing 18 points—including 17-of-33 in spikes and a crucial block—to help the Cabstars even their record at 1-1.
Leadership, he admits, is more than numbers. Dela Noche draws inspiration from Wendel Miguel, his senior in Cignal, who steered the Super Spikers to a bronze finish in the 2025 Invitationals despite a rocky run.
“Naiinspire lang po ako kay Kuya Wendel,” said Dela Noche, hoping to emulate the calm, guiding presence Miguel brought to his team.
