After an early move ahead of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League, Cignal hopes to finally clinch its breakthrough title.
HD Spikers head coach Shaq Delos Santos is optimistic about their chances in the coming season following a couple of podium finishes this year.
Bannered by veterans Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Riri Meneses, Rose Doria, prized setter Gel Cayuna along with rising star Vanie Gandler and new acquisition in multi-awarded libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Cignal is seen to be one of the teams to beat when the PVL opens on 17 February in a yet to be announced conference.
But Delos Santos wants his squad to back its tag on the floor.
“We have to be consistent every game. But of course, we could only do that if we improve on our practices,” Delos Santos said.
The HD Spikers are expected to start their buildup by the second week of January where they will be joined by Macandili-Catindig, who was formally introduced last Friday, 22 December, after signing a three-year deal with the team following the foldup of her former club F2 Logistics.
Cignal closed the 2023 season with a bronze medal finish in the 2nd All-Filipino Conference.
The HD Spikers also placed third in the mid-season Invitational Conference where Molina was named conference Most Valuable Player following a disappointing sixth place in the 1st AFC.
“We can’t be content with what we have achieved. We still need to find ways to improve and grow as an individual and as a team,” Delos Santos added.
Founded a decade ago, the oldest women’s volleyball club has yet to capture the elusive crown in the professional ranks.
Cignal’s best finish was in 2017 when it shared the championship with Japanese team Kobe Shinwa Women’s University in the defunct Philippine Superliga.
The HD Spikers came close to claiming their first-ever PVL title but were swept by Petro Gazz in the 2022 Reinforced Conference finals.
