The Cignal HD Spikers have been everything but flawless in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference.
Still far from their perennially threatening form, the HD Spikers dropped all three of their opening matches.
Notably, Cignal had to face the three best teams in the league – the De La Salle University-powered F2 Logistics, the veteran RC Cola-Army, and the defending AFC champs Petron Tri-Activ Spikers.
Cignal head coach Sammy Acaylar acknowledged that he could not control the tough schedule, additionally mentioning the challenge of gaining team chemistry against seasoned opponents.
“Ang schedule, ganyan na yan – wala na tayong magagawa diyan. Hindi ko lang gusto kung paano kami nag-rereact sa challenge,” said Acaylar of a team that has only won one set this season.
“Mahirap lang din kasi sa team, we’re still trying to get to know one another not only inside the court but outside the court.”
Acaylar then added how his team has lacked time to bond off the court and it shows in his team’s reactions in times of adversity.
“Hindi pa kami family talaga. Siguro kailangan pa ng time na magsama-sama kami and really get to know each other.”
It also shows in Cignal’s rotation. So far, no one has earned a permanent spot in the starting six.
“We’re still trying to find consistent players kaya napapadalas ako ng balasa ng tao. Wala pa sa kanilang nakaka-earn talaga ng tiwala ko.”
With a fellow winless team in Standard Insurance-Navy standing on deck, Acaylar sees an opportunity to start racking up wins in this double-round-robin tourney.
“Sa Navy ko nakikita na kailangan namin mag-build ng lakas. Kung magcocontend kami this year, kailangan na namin manalo ng marami starting against Navy.”
