Cignal HD Spikers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Arresting a losing streak before it does more damage to its Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference campaign, Cignal is looking to start turning things around using plain old hard work and a perceptive approach that the HD Spikers hope could take them deep in the tournament.
“We went through and sacrificed a lot,” Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos told reporters after surviving Akari, 25-18, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, on late Tuesday to halt a two-game skid at FilOil EcoOil Centre. “But we know that we can do so much more, and hopefully in our coming games, our performance gets even better.”
The HD Spikers were coming off a consecutive straight sets losses to powerhouse teams Choco Mucho and Creamline before leveling their record to 2-2 (win-loss) with that outlasting of the Chargers, as Cignal wants to show that there is life—in all practicality—after longtime skipper Rachel Daquis, who is being groomed for a coaching position.
Cignal showed chemistry in the bounce back win with Vanie Gandler displaying an all-around performance after finishing with 14 points, built mostly on attacks and a block and 14 excellent digs.
“We were kind of struggling on how we could step up to the position (of Daquis), and we all really wanted to work together as a team and not just rely on one person,” Gandler, who ended up with Player of the Game honors, said. “Even the coaches, we just had to talk more so we could connect and thankfully it worked today.”
Daquis is in the United States attending a coaching seminar, the signal of the looming end to one of the most glamorous careers Philippine volleyball in general has seen.
Gandler’s performance also overshadowed the efforts of former teammates and Akari standouts Faith Nisperos, Erika Raagas and Jaja Maraguinot.
“I missed this kind of performance from the team because this is what we’ve been looking for. I am really thankful because they worked hard for this win,” Delos Santos added. “This has a huge impact on us because as I’ve told [the HD Spikers], we need to get this game. Hopefully we can recover once again.”
Old reliable Cignal hands Ces Molina and Jovelyn Gonzaga combined for another 25 points to complete a three-sided battering ram for the HD Spikers, who put to naught Dindin Manabat and Raagas’ sterling contributions of 21 and 16 points, respectively. Akari saw its first winning streak in franchise history come to a halt and dropped to 3-2.