Ces Molina and Riri Meneses have parted ways with Cignal after three years, according to their talent management agency. The HD Spikers though are seeking legal advice on the matter.
Cignal HD Spikers veterans Ces Molina and Riri Meneses have officially parted ways with the team prior to the resumption of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The move was announced by Avior Talent Management, which handles both Molina and Meneses.
Cignal though is seeking legal advice on what the organization considers to be "material breach" of the players contracts.
The news broke on Thursday, January 9, when Avior posted this statement on social media.
“Avior Talent Management expresses its most sincere gratitude towards Cignal HD Spikers Management for all the opportunities it had given to Frances Xinia Molina and Marivic Meneses, two Avior talents, over the past three years as they have decided to part ways with the team,” the management wrote.
“We wish nothing but the best for the team.”
Meneses also included the Avior post on her Instagram feed. She previously reshared an Instagram Story where Molina, Alohi Robins-Hardy, and Avior were also tagged.
Meanwhile, Molina reshared an inspirational post on acceptance and understanding for the month of January.
The HD Spikers then released an official statement, saying Avior Talent Management had reached out earlier in the day--following a formal letter sent last January 6--to terminate their live contract extension with the team "to pursue unspecified opportunities to play abroad."
"We are in the process of consulting our legal team to determine all possible courses of action allowed following this material breach of both players’ contracts," Cignal's statement read.
The team also disclosed that renewal discussions with the two athletes had been initiated as early as October 2024 through formal offers. However, Molina and Meneses reportedly did not respond to any communications and ceased attending team training sessions--which resumed earlier this week.
"The Cignal HD Spikers remain committed to our athletes, supporters and community and will continue to prepare for the ongoing PVL All-Filipino Conference," the team added.
The sudden departure of Molina and Meneses comes as a significant blow to the HD Spikers, who have relied on the duo’s contributions since 2022. Both players were instrumental in securing two silver medals and five bronze finishes for the team in eight conferences.
Molina earned the Conference MVP award during the 2023 Invitational Conference.
Meneses, meanwhile, secured two Best Middle Blocker titles in the 2022 Open Conference and the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference.
With their departure, Cignal's roster is now down to 11 players as they prepare to return to action on January 21 against Galeries Tower at the Philsports Arena.
The HD Spikers currently sit in second place in the standings with a 4-1 record.