After two years of waiting, Cignal is back in the championship round.
On Tuesday, the Super Spikers delivered an emphatic four-set victory over the Creamline Cool Smashers, 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a breakthrough built on years of heartbreak and perseverance.
“It’s hard for us to answer kasi parang, we can’t explain how deep this is for us,” said Gandler, who finished with 24 points, in the post-match press conference.
“Kasi we know how hard we worked for this. I just have so much gratefulness for the team kasi the player I am today is because of them. And then the way the team is performing is because we just want the best for each other,” she added.
Since their last Finals appearance in the 2024 Invitational Conference, the team has undergone major changes. They lost key pieces such as Ces Molina, Riri Meneses, Chai Troncoso, Jheck Dionela, Chin Basas, Judith Abil, among others — making this latest breakthrough even more meaningful.
In response, the Super Spikers rebuilt their core, adding Erika Santos, Tine Tiamzon, Jewel Encarnacion, Buding Duremdes, Pearl Denura, and Ivy Perez, while also welcoming rookies Erin Pangilinan and Jessa Ordiales.
(C) PVL Images
Despite those efforts, the team struggled in the succeeding conferences and failed to return to the Finals, managing just one semifinal appearance across the four tournaments that followed.
That’s why this return to the championship round carries added significance, marking a long-awaited breakthrough after years of struggle since their last Finals stint.
“Ano po, siguro patunay talaga, lalo kay Coach Shaq, na ang daming nawala sa amin, nabuwag ‘yung core namin. Pero nagbuo ulit si Coach Shaq and sobrang thankful kami sa bawat isa,” said Gel Cayuna.
“Kinapitan namin ‘yung bawat isa and ‘di na kami naghanap ng kung sino sino pa. Kung ano ‘yung meron kami, ‘yun ‘yung nilalaban namin, ‘yun ‘yung tinatrabaho namin para makarating dito sa ano na ‘to. Sobrang grateful ako sa lahat,” she added.
Gandler said their success stems from the way the team plays for one another, emphasizing their trust, chemistry, and willingness to step up in key moments.
“It’s really not for ourselves, it’s for each other. And so it’s just… I can’t explain how meaningful it is for me to reach the finals again,” said the Alas Pilipinas standout.
Head coach Shaq delos Santos, meanwhile, said the past heartbreaks only strengthened the team’s resolve, adding that their long-awaited Finals return is a product of years of resilience and growth.
“Sobrang dami ng sakit na naramdaman namin, siguro for how many years and conferences talagang hindi kami nainip. Tinanggap lang namin ‘yung mga bagay na kailangan nating matanggap and sobrang natuto kami dun,” said delos Santos.
“Good thing kasi di kami nag-give up and yeah, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na papasok kami sa finals.”
Delos Santos added that while they hope it will be a “third time’s the charm” moment in the championship round, their focus remains on the task at hand with a crucial semifinal clash against PLDT still ahead.
