Manpower shortage great Cignal concern heading into season

Vanie Gandler (No. 5) and Dawn Macandili-Katindig will be vital pieces for HD Spikers. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Cignal has had its fair share of challenges in its PVL life. And the one it faces now is entirely new.

But heading into the new All-Filipino Conference, which will last for six months for the first time, manpower woes might be one of the HD Spikers’ biggest concerns.

Coming from a silver-medal run in the last Invitational conference, a player exodus led by longtime libero Jheck Dionela, Chai Troncoso, Chinchin Basas and Gen Casugod has left the HD Spikers with just 11 players.

“[Rotation] will be a bit challenging, but the good thing is that we still have time to prepare and become ready,” coach Shaq delos Santos said in Filipino. “The players are flexible, including Ces [Molina] who can play both opposite and outside. So that will be the case as well for the other players.”

After 11 years, Dionela took her act to Farm Fresh, which will also be bringing back former HD Spiker Rachel Anne Daquis. Troncoso jumped ship to ZUS Coffee to join debuting No. 1 pick Thea Gagate and another teammate from Cignal, the reliable Jov Gonzaga.

“Of course, it won’t be easy for us, but we’re so happy that they have a new team to play for,” Delos Santos said. “We really appreciate all that we went through together, those ups and downs.”

Never a champ

There are still core members left in the fold of Cignal, which still hasn’t won the gold despite being a consistent podium finisher. Along with skipper Molina, Roselyn Doria, Alas Pilipinas cog Vanie Gandler, Riri Meneses and brilliant playmaker Gel Cayuna are still there.

Needless to say, though, they won’t be able to do it all.

Dawn Macandili-Catindig, the decorated libero who also returned from national team duties like Gandler to help Cignal against eventual Invitational Conference champion Creamline, will still be there.

“As of now, there are very few people on the team, but even if our lineup is like that, the core is still there,” Molina said. “So [it’s like] nothing changed.

“I think the balance of the team will be challenging for us,” she went on. “We’ll leave it to coach when it comes to the rotation and whatever responsibility and roles are given to us, we need to perform it.”

Cignal can also dip its hand in the free agent market, with the six-month tournament having players from other teams ending their contracts.

Delos Santos is also planning to give draft signee Ishie Lalongisip longer minutes.

“I told our rookie that I want to help them rise. You don’t need a name, what you need to do is uphold what you have so that you can use it in-game,” he said.

“I know that [my former teammates] found new homes and I know that they will be looking for personal growth,” Molina said. “I know that they can contribute more in wherever they are right now [so] I am excited to face them.”