Ayel Estrañero joins Cignal

Former UP player Ayel Estrañero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Cignal boosted its offensive line when it signed setter Ayel Estrañero ahead of the first professional season of the Premier Volleyball League.

The HD Spikers announced the transaction through its social media pages a day after the team formally joined the PVL which will have its bubble at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba this April.

“Join us as we officially welcome Ayel Estrañero to the Cignal HD Spikers family!” posted the team Thursday.

https://www.facebook.com/CIGNALHDSPIKEROFFICIAL/posts/810509112872938?__cft__[0]=AZUVZCIpi6e4rku4yowmvYEwq7PyVV-s-KRxz106qEu2P6kEAxxVNjf6IkytElFPp6LAvFDqcEkgSD9TqdLED_xXM0aqt0ZV6T-3k4WDf127jrqE0oyZ5WB-i0wS3WsCzNLhRiAZkwMGnBzBgKazK32G&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Estrañero’s signing gives the HD Spikers not only another option on the setter spot but also a defensive presence as the former University of the Philippines captain also played libero in college.

A free agent prior to her signing, Estrañero previously played with the now disbanded Motolite for two conferences.

With Estrañero teaming up with Alohi Robinson-Hardy, the pair of setters will have a bevy of attacking options at their disposal that includes former international Rachel Anne Daquis, Fiola Ceballos, Janine Marciano, Ranya Musa, May Luna, and Roselyn Doria.

Apart from elevating UP to a Final Four team in 2016, Estrañero also led her school to its first major title in 36 years when she delivered the title-winning ace in the PVL Collegiate Conference in 2018.