PVL: Gel Cayuna shows way for unbeaten Cignal

Cignal’s Gel Cayuna during a game against Choco Mucho in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos heaped praise on setter Gel Cayuna, who helped keep the HD Spikers unbeaten in three games in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Cayuna dished out 16 excellent sets and delivered 11 points including three blocks to lift Cignal past Choco Mucho, 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, on Thursday evening at Philsports Arena.

Delos Santos said it was the four-time PVL Best Setter’s decision-making that made her a scoring threat in the past games after scoring nine points on top of 20 excellent sets in their four-set win over Chery Tiggo last week.

READ: PVL: Cignal posts third straight win, downs Choco Mucho

Gel Cayuna on her 16 excellent sets and 11 points. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Y7YWzwo05a

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 28, 2024

“When it comes doon sa situation na ganito, alam niya na yung gagawin. Siguro yung maturity din, yung na-improve niya every conferences, and then yung sa training, and then yung mga ideas lang na nabibigay namin, siguro lahat magkakasama na doon,” said Delos Santos, who has been coaching Cayuna since college. “And good thing, lahat yung buong team namin na maganda yung response dun sa lahat ng ginagawa naming paghihirap.”

Cayuna said she’s just flaunting what she’s capable of to help her team redeem itself from a heartbreaking finals loss to Creamline in the Invitational Conference.

“Tinatrabaho naman namin sa training. Kilala niyo naman ako kung paano ako maglaro. Alam niya rin na kaya akong umatake, kaya yun nga sa training talaga ginagawa din talaga namin, kaya rin lumalabas din sa games,” she said.

The former Far Eastern University star also rose to the challenge facing last year’s All-Filipino runner-up Choco Mucho, led by Sisi Rondina.

READ: PVL: Gel Cayuna stays with Cignal despite ‘many tempting offers’

“Isa sila sa matibay na team. Hundred percent sure na makakatulong sa amin ito sa mga next games pa namin. Hundred percent ready rin kami sa ituturo pa ni Coach Shaq, kung ano pa yung i-a-absorb sa ituturo ni Coach Shaq,” Cayuna said.

It’s so far so good for the HD Spikers with a 3-0 record tied with PLDT as Delos Santos also lauded Cayuna’s plays for a balanced attack with Jackie Acuña leading the way with 14 points, Ces Molina delivering 13 points, while Vanie Gandler and Ria Meneses added 10 points each. 

“Yun yung goal, yun talaga yung target namin, na kailangan mag-contribute talaga lahat, even middle, nasabi ko nga kahit taasan yung puntos ng wing spiker, walang problema,” said Delos Santos. “Hindi naman ito yung proof talaga na okay na okay na kami, but at least magandang start or sign para sa amin. And siguro, not only i-maintain, but yung i-improve ba, mag-progress sa lahat ng gagawin.”

Cignal has more than a week to prepare for its December 7 match against Nxled in Cebu.