Cignal HD Spikers during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —Instead of dwelling on the departure of their stars Ces Molina and Ria Meneses, the Cignal HD Spikers is choosing to focus all their energy on their 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference campaign.
The depleted Cignal opened the post-Molina and Meneses with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 sweep of Galeries Tower to improve to a 5-1 record on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
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Coach Shaq Delos Santos shared that he prepared for the worst possible scenario in case Molina and Meneses departed the team. The two decided not to renew their contracts that expired at the end of the year and never responded to extension offers that came as early as October.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
“Things happen, so I prepared myself for the possibility of it. When that moment came, I just thought about how lucky or blessed we are to have a team where we can focus, work hard, and enhance the talents we have,” Delos Santos said.
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“The pressure is always there. But that’s the good thing because it reminds you that you can’t stop—you still have a lot to work on to improve.”
Vanie Gandler, who will be one of the team’s go-tos now, said she is ready to take on the challenge of taking on a bigger role.
Cignal HD Spikers’ Vanie Gandler soars for a spike against Galeries Tower High Risers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO
“It’s challenging of course but then I’m not alone. I have the whole team, we have Ishie who can really step up, We just didn’t dwell on that,” said Gandler.
“I think the only way to improve is to accept the challenges. So we just accepted the challenges that we would face and no pressure because we trained for this, everyone trained for this. It’s the same teamwork.”
True enough, Gandler led the way with 17 points, while new starter Ishie Lalongisip and middle blockers Jackie Acuña and Rose Doria-Aquino had nine points each.
READ: PVL: Cignal beats Galeries in first game since key players’ departure
Judith Abil added seven points and nine digs, as Gel Cayuna displayed her brilliance in playmaking and new captain Dawn Macandili-Catindig took care of the floor.
“I’m really happy with the performance of the team because inside the court you can hear everyone leading in their own ways. We showed teamwork. It’s so nice to hear and it’s so fun to play,” Gandler said.
Now that with mantle of leadership falling on her as the new captain, Catindig said she isn’t overwhelmed with the task as the rest of the team pitches in.
“I just always give my best in whatever needs to be done, and I barely have to do much, like giving reminders, because everyone is a leader in their own way,” Catindig said. “What’s great about our team now is that we all share responsibilities—it’s shared leadership, so I don’t feel overwhelmed about being made the captain.”
“Super proud because everyone stepped up, and we just really enjoyed ourselves. It’s so nice to see the whole team connecting so well,” she added.
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Putting the departure of their former captain and MVP as well as Meneses behind them, Cignal vows to keep on moving forward as it has a week to prepare for PLDT (4-2) on January 28 at the same venue in Pasig City.
