Shaq Delos Santos is proud to see the undermanned Cignal HD Spikers' hard work and dedication pay off in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Despite fielding just 12 players after the holiday break, the Cignal HD Spikers continue to find success in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The HD Spikers have locked up the third seed heading into the qualifying round after sweeping the Akari Chargers, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, February 18.
While many expected Cignal to slide down the standings following the unexpected departures of veterans Ces Molina and Riri Meneses, coach Shaq Delos Santos found a way to make his undermanned roster work.
“Hindi totally na-surprise [na maganda pa rin laro]. Siguro naging happy ako doon sa result kung papaano namin siya dinesign din dun sa mga ginagawa namin and papaano namin sya pinag-uusapan lahat,” Delos Santos said during the post-game press conference.
“Ako, personally nasurprise ako kasi-- surprise in a way na natutuwa ako kasi lumalabas din talaga yung pinaghihirapan [namin],” he added.
In the past few games, Cignal has seen impressive performances from Ishie Lalongisip and Jackie Acuña. But still at the forefront of the team’s success are mainstays Vanie Gandler and Roselyn Doria-Aquino.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Jackie Acuña, Ishie Lalongisip make most of bigger duties for undermanned Cignal]
The two likewise said that they weren’t surprised with how the team has been faring in the extended conference, despite the many sudden changes.
“I didn’t really get surprised with the performance of the team kasi I trust everyone in the team. Even before that eveything happened, they’ve been stepping up naman always. They’ve been contributing every practice, every game so I think our trust in them is always there and it’s still there and we knew kayang kaya pa,” Gandler explained.
“Siguro sa akin tinignan na lang namin in a positive way parang naging motivation na lang namin yun and nagkaroon ng malaking opportunity,” Doria-Aquino added.
[ALSO READ: Vanie Gandler proud to see how far former Ateneo teammate Faith Nisperos has come in PVL]
While the physical toll can be a problem at times for the HD Spikers, Gandler knows that it will always take a team effort to secure the victories.
“Yeah physical side it’s kinda hard on our team because we’re only 12 and it’s kinda pressuring, too that we can’t have an off game but then that’s why I say it’s really teamwork, when one person is off everyone else helps that person,” said Gandler.
Cignal now awaits its matchup in the qualifying round where it could be either the Galeries Tower Highrisers, Nxled Chameleons, or the Capital1 Solar Spikers.