Cignal has been showing good signs of chemistry and fluid motion inside the court with just two weeks left before action in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference fires off.
The HD Spikers are on a roll in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League after winning back-to-back games, proof that they are on the right track in their preparation for the pro wars opening on 20 February.
However, Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos downplayed their early success in the tournament that serves as part of their build-up for the PVL season.
“I’m happy with how the team has been playing. I’m proud of our showing,” Delos Santos said.
“But it’s not enough to say that we’re already where we wanted to be. We still have a lot to work on. Hopefully, we’ll improve even more.”
The HD Spikers reasserted their mastery over Chery Tiggo, 28-26, 25-19, 27-25, last Sunday in a rematch of last year’s season-ending PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference bronze medal series.
Cignal followed it up with a 16-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-20, win over Petro Gazz on Monday.
The HD Spikers, who had two third-place finishes in the PVL last year, are playing Philippine Army as of press time.
Sophomore hitter Vanie Gandler, so far, is leading Cignal’s charge with 16.5 points per game.
Just like Delos Santos, the Ateneo de Manila University product mentioned that the HD Spikers still have a lot to address.
“There’s definitely still so much to work on. We’re just halfway through our preparations and there’s still so much to learn,” she said.
“But of course, you could see that our team is slowly coming together especially from the last (PVL) conference and hopefully it’s enough coming into the PVL, as well.”
Offseason recruit Dawn Macandili-Catindig has shown impressive form in the past games as she showed no signs of difficulty adjusting to Delos Santos’ system.
“I only had a few adjustments. Cignal has a good system and I feel right at home.”
The HD Spikers will close their elimination round campaign against defending champion College of Saint Benilde on Wednesday before a one-day rest.
The top four teams will duke it out in a knockout semifinal while the championship match will also be a winner-take-all affair.
