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After a slow start, Cignal is well in the hunt for a playoff slot in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
After showing signs of promise in the preseason, the Cignal Super Spikers were dealt a reality check to start the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference last October.
A pair of losses, including one to an all-Filipino Choco Mucho, served as a rude welcome for Cignal in the import-laden tournament — a stretch that was followed by the tough call to part ways with Greek import Eva Chantava.
Rough as their start was, head coach Shaq Delos Santos believes that it was necessary for the Super Spikers to rediscover their winning form.
“I think naging malaking factor din samin ‘yung dalawang pagkatalo din agad namin. Ang bigat non, sobrang bigat non para sa amin, and then mabigat din samin na nagpalit kami ng import. But I think isa ‘yun sa kailangan namin i-adjust and luckily, we’re so happy na umaangat ‘yung team,” he told The GAME in an exclusive interview.
“Every day, every game, every training, ang daming challenges na na-encounter ng team. But we’re so happy talaga na pinupush talaga ng mga coaches, players and even management ‘yung support talaga samin.”
True enough, Cignal did pick up the pieces after that rough start, which started with their sweep over previously-unbeaten PLDT for their first conference win. Even more impressive, the Super Spikers ended the High Speed Hitters’ 15-game winning streak with an All-Filipino core.
Cignal’s resurgence gained a massive boost through the arrival of replacement import Katrin Trebichavská, whose youth and energy has complemented an all-local core led by PVL on Tour MVP Erika Santos, Ishie Lalongisip, Gel Cayuna, and Vanie Gandler.
Through four games, KT is averaging 20.3 points for the Super Spikers, along with a solid 8.5 receptions on defense. Cignal has gone 3-1 amid this period, with the Slovakian import forming a solid one-two punch with local ace Santos.
“Number one is ‘yung energy niya. Sa age niya kasi, makulit siya and magkaka-age lang sila so ‘yun ‘yung nagdadala samin ng energy, ‘yung adrenaline niya,” Delos Santos said of Trebichavská.
“Syempre ang challenge din sa kanya is minsan naiinis siya. Pero sabi ko nga sa kanya, kailangan lang maging kalmado siya and maging focused, kasi alam namin na kayang kaya niya gumawa.”
On Thursday, November 13, the Super Spikers scored another statement win, sweeping ZUS Coffee to end the Thunderbelles’ impressive 6-0 start to the conference. In doing so, Cignal improved to a 4-3 record, strengthening their conference quarterfinals bid with one game left.
Along with having a reliable import in KT, Delos Santos believes that Cignal’s resurgence is a testament to their character, with each player putting in the work despite all the adversities that have come their way.
“Sobrang happy and nakaka-proud ‘yung team kasi ‘yung preparation talaga namin is sobrang intense and ang daming nangyari. But ‘yung good thing kasi is ‘yung response ng team, players and sobrang happy ako kasi pag nagtitraining kami kami, ina-all out nila ‘yung sarili nila,” reflected the veteran head coach.
“Hindi man ganon kataas palagi ‘yung performance and hindi kami palaging satisfied, pero gaya nga ng sinasabi ko kay KT basta pagdating ng game, all out tayo and ayun ‘yung ginagawa ng mga bata.”
Delos Santos, though, knows that Cignal must still work on their mental fortitude if they hope to go far into the postseason.
“Ang goal talaga namin is mag-improve lang nang mag-improve. Sa game din, alisin natin ‘yung pressure kasi mananalo naman tayo kung gusto natin gumalaw nang tama, so ‘yun ‘yung challenge — alisin ‘yung pressure or parang ang dami naming gusto isipin sa mga time na hindi talaga kami nakakagalaw.”
Images from the Premier Volleyball League.