Cignal will turn to Vanie Gandler (right) to shoulder a heavy scoring load for the team. —PVL IMAGES
Losing players seems to be a theme for Cignal this season.
But somehow it doesn’t show on the ground.
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The HD Spikers bounced back from a first loss – the one that ended their 2024 schedule – by demolishing Galeries Tower, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena from Pasig City.
“For us, what we can control first is what we can give to the players to maximize their talent and skills,” coach Shaq delos Santos said in Filipino as the HD Spikers improved at 5-1 (win-loss), tied with Petro Gazz at the top, despite a reduced squad which only has 12 players.
“I first composed myself because as a coach, it is normal to encounter challenges. It all depends on how you handle these situations,” Delos Santos said.
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Over the holidays, news of veteran talents Ces Molina and Riri Meneses leaving Cignal broke as the duo reportedly ignored the team’s contract extension offer.
This wasn’t the first time the HD Spikers had seen their teammates leave.
Before the start of the conference, Jov Gonzaga, who missed two import tournaments last year, and Chai Troncoso recruited the team for ZUS Coffee. AJ Jingco, Jheck Dionela and Rachel Anne Daquis, coming off a long hiatus, then announced a move to Farm Fresh.
Angela Nunag has moved to Chery Tiggo while Chin Basas, Gen Casugod and Camille Belaro continue to look for new teams.
Commitment to roles
To replace what was left of the HD Spikers, Delos Santos brought in young outside hitter Ishie Lalongisip and all-rounder Judith Abil, whom the coach introduced as an opponent.
“It’s a big thing (to have Lalongisip and Abil performing) because they are among our only remaining players,” Delos Santos said, adding that the rest of the remaining players have expressed their “commitment” to play “whatever is the best role.” that they can do.
“That’s all we’re asking. We’re not looking for them to perform too high or anything, but to create points and do what they can to help on defense. (We also want them to be) fighters with the leadership of Dawn (Macandili-Catindig) and Vanie (Gandler) on the field and of course Angel (Cayuna),” he added.
Defensive ace Macandili-Catindig has assumed the leadership role left by Molina while most of the scoring responsibility will likely fall on Gandler.
“It’s a challenge of course, but I’m not alone. I have the whole team, we have Ishie who can really step up,” said the Ateneo product, who led Cignal against Galeries with 17 points. “We just didn’t dwell on (player departures ).I think the only way to improve is to accept the challenges so we just accepted the challenges we faced and (felt) no pressure because we trained for it.
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“(With everything that’s happened), I still think we’re still lucky and fortunate because we still have a team that we can work with,” Delos Santos said. INQ
