Cignal HD Spikers’ Gel Cayuna. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Gel Cayuna opted to run it back with the Cignal HD Spikers in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season despite getting “so many tempting offers” from other squads.
VP Global Management, Cayuna’s camp, bared on Friday that the reigning PVL Best Setter renewed her partnership with the HD Spikers for 2024.
The talent management agency admitted that the Far Eastern University product, who a pair of Best Setter awards in the 2023 season, received offers from other teams, which VP didn’t disclose. But Cayuna took her time to decide after her contract expired last December.
Cayuna chose to stay with Cignal, considering factors “like coaching, system, team composition and culture” and remaining eager to help her team return to the finals after falling short in the second All-Filipino Conference semifinals when Choco Mucho pulled off a series comeback in a do-or-die Game 3.
“Siguro OK na yung nag-popodium kami, established na siguro kami dun since naka-ilan na din. Next mission is to really get into the finals kung papalarin ulit lalo na mas competitive na ang mga dadating pa ng season. Pero all in all, gusto ko talaga ipagpatuloy yung nasimulan namin as a team kasi kinakapos kami noon, siguro more pa talaga and hopefully moving forward, mag-work na,” said Cayuna as Cignal became the team with most bronze medals in the league after earning its fourth third place finish last December.
The 25-year-old Cayuna, who has three best setter awards making her the next most decorated behind eight-time winner Jia De Guzman, is elated to return with the HD Spikers, who signed star libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig and young opposite spiker Jovelyn Fernandez.
“Super excited ako to play with Dawn. I mean ever since, blessed naman kami ng mahuhusay na libero with sila Ate Jheck [Dionela] pero syempre mas advantage yung may Macandili pa,” she said. “Isa pa si Jov Fernandez, siyempre hindi man kami nag abot sa FEU e meron pa din yang FEU connection dahil siguro ganun naman kalalim ang culture ng volleyball sa FEU so excited ako na makasama siya.”
Cayuna was happy with her decision, thanking VP Global Management for helping and guiding her during her busy holidays.
“Sobrang na-appreciate ko yung VP dahil talagang inaasikaso nila lahat. Kahit maghoholiday, may kanya kanyang ganap, madaming back and forth, napaka-tyaga nila asikasuhin lahat and na-feel ko talaga na they fight to get what I deserve. Sobrang grateful at happy ako sa kinalabasan ng lahat for the direction of my career,” she said.
Cignal let go of Jerrili Malabanan, Bia General, and Angela Nunag but kept its core players bannered by Cayuna, Invitational Conference MVP Ces Molina, Vanie Gandler, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and middle blockers Ria Meneses and Rose Doria.