PVL: Cignal’s slow start this conference ‘part of process,’ says coach Shaq

MANILA, Philippines–Cignal needed three tries but finally won their first All-Filipino Conference Volleyball Premiere League at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.

Seen as a potential powerhouse in the ongoing tournament, HD Spikers dropped their first two matches which was a surprise for the league.

Still, coach Shaq Delos Santos isn’t surprised by the team’s slow start, saying there’s still work to do despite last year’s colorful run.

“For me, it’s part of the process. Like I said, just because we did well last year, we’ll get to the same level. Because last year, we tested everyone. Just because we got to the Finals doesn’t mean we’re not nothing. We have a lot to adjust, a lot to fix,” said Delos Santos after Cignal beat Akari 25-23, 25-20, 25-14.

“We are still in the adjustment of the system, we are still in the process of understanding everything that needs to be done. It is not easy,” he added.

HD Spikers finished as runners-up in the Reinforced Conference before the PVL as they were swept in the Finals by Petro Gazz in two games.

INITIAL CHALLENGES

But the biggest help from that run came from import Tai Bierria. Now, with an all-Filipino lineup, Delos Santos insists he still has the tools he needs for another long run.

“We are full of skills. We have experience but we have to give back what we have and also enjoy what we do. We are very happy that we got a good victory but we have to work more. We have to be more inspired in everything we do and we there is no need to fear whatever the outcome is,” Delos Santos said in Filipino.

Star spiker Rachel Anne Daquis doubled down on her tactical statement, finding more positives in the early slump of the last conference powerhouse.

“The good thing about what happened to us is that we were challenged early, which means we solved the problems we had. We are happy with the result and we will continue with the current mentality,” he said.

Daquis, a team captain, dominated Cignal’s win over the Chargers with 11 points built on eight spikes and three blocks.

Rose Doria also helped the HD Spikers to their first victory with nine points, including a crucial crosscourt kill in the third and final set that put her team on a 16-9 run.

Daquis also said that Cignal moved from a sluggish start to the tournament, emphasizing that it is up to the players, follow the instructions of the top coach to get more-needed wins.

“Like coach said, we’re fine, it’s just in our minds how we get around the field.”

The 1-2 handled squad will look for a “morale-boosting” victory when they face Reinforced Conference rivals Petro Gazz (1-1) at the Philsports Arena on Saturday.