PVL: Cignal mainstays ready to step up after exodus of players

Cignal HD Spikers during a press launch ahead of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal star Ces Molina has no qualms about her former teammates’ decision to leave the club or join other squads ahead of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, which starts on Saturday at Philsports Arena.

The HD Spikers lost several key cogs in the offseason with libero Jheck Dionela ending her 11-year stint with the club to join Farm Fresh, while Chai Troncoso jumped to ZUS Coffee. The likes of Chinchin Basas, Gen Casugod, and AJ Jingco have also bid farewell to the HD Spikers, who are now left with an 11-woman roster.

Even returning veterans Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga, who came from their long breaks, joined the Frank Lao-owned teams, Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee, respectively, after seven years with Cignal.

READ: PVL; Jheck Dionela joins Farm Fresh, ends long tenure with Cignal

Molina, the Cignal team captain, is happy for her ex-teammates as she cherishes the memories she shared with them.

“I’m very very proud sa mga teammates ko na nasa ibang team na rin. I know that they found a new home, and alam ko na yung personal growth nila yung isa sa pinakagoal din nila. And alam ko rin na mas makaka-contribute sila kung nasaan man sila ngayon. And I am really excited and talagang gusto ko na makaharap din sila kasi dati mong teammate, ngayon makikita mo na sila on the other side of the court,” said Molina.

“Alam ko na itong ganitong kahabang liga, yun yung exciting doon. Iba’t ibang players nakakalat, and lahat naman sila magagaling. We’re looking forward sa maganda and mahabang conference na ‘to.”

With a six-month competition ahead, the former Invitational Conference MVP admitted that a tougher challenge awaits the HD Spikers.

“I think yun talagang balance sa team yung magiging challenging samin, and I know naman yung team ngayon ay condition naman and makikita naman namin yan sa everyday training talagang binibigay nila yung best nila sa training. We leave it to our coaches kung ano man yung mga technical, skills, and sa mga rotation,” the veteran outside spiker said.

“Kung ano man yung ibibigay niya sa amin na responsibilities and roles, kailangan namin yun i-perform and gampanan.”

READ: PVL: Cignal has ‘nothing to be ashamed’ after close title fight

Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos also has no issue with the departure of his players.

“Sobrang na-appreciate namin lahat kung ano yung pinagsamahan namin, through ups and downs,  but all in all, okay naman lahat. Nagpaalam din naman sa akin,” said Delos Santos, who will also bank on Vanie Gandler, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Gel Cayuna, Ria Meneses, and Jackie Acuña.

For Delos Santos, their shallow roster only motivated his holdovers to work harder and step up for bigger roles.

“Nagiging flexible naman yung mga players namin especially Ces na kayang maglaro ng opposite and then sa outside. Doon nalang talaga sa training namin binubuhos lahat ng pwede naming magawa, yung mga options na pwede naming gawin, and yung mga rookies namin, gusto ko silang tulungan para umangat. Hindi naman kailangan na may pangalan ka eh, kailangan mong panindigan kung anong meron ka para magamit natin pagdating sa game,” Delos Santos said.

Cignal kicks off its campaign against Farm Fresh and its former players Daquis and Dionela on  November 16 at Ynares Center in Antipolo.