The Cignal HD Spikers, safe to say, have not been performing up to standard in the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix. The Invitational Cup champions dropped to an alarming 1-3 record after absorbing a disappointing five-set loss to the Cocolife Asset Managers in Bacolod last Saturday.
However, Cignal head coach George Pascua isn’t raising the alarm just yet. The usually-calm head coach was miffed by his team’s collapse in Bacolod, but he did see some improvements.
“Sa totoo lang, nagi-improve naman ‘yung team. Talagang hindi pa kami gaanong ka-consistent,” Pascua said, who was quick to point out his squads lack of passing.
“Nawawalan talaga kami ng first ball, lalo na sa mga crucial point. ‘Yun talaga kailangan namin ayusin pa pati ‘yung pagtapos namin ng mga set.”
Pascua adds that several of his key players are nursing injuries, most notably veteran Rachel Daquis, who sat out their match against Cocolife due to muscle spasms. The 29-year old spiker was advised by doctors to rest the injury for at least two weeks.
“Malaking bagay din ‘yun na mawawala si Rachel,” Pacua rued. “Pero may mga players namin kami sa bench na ready magstep-up.”
For now, the UAAP champion mentor is exercising patience and prepares to get his team to peak at the crucial quarterfinals stages.
“‘Yung place naman namin sa standing hindi pa importante kasi wala ka namang advantage kahit anong place ka,” Pascua asserted.