Shaq Delos Santos is holding on to faith and perspective, choosing to believe that even sudden endings carry a purpose after Cignal officially stepped away from the Premier Volleyball League following one of its strongest runs in recent memory.
The Super Spikers announced Monday noon that they are taking a leave of absence from the league, coming just weeks after their breakthrough runner-up finish in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
For Delos Santos, the head coach behind Cignal’s rise into a perennial contender, the development carried a mix of pride and pain. While he could not hide his disappointment—especially after the emergence of stars like AFC MVP Vanie Gandler and national team standout Erika Santos—he opted to focus on gratitude and growth.
“Especially ako, nanghihinayang ako dahil parang for how many years ko sa Cignal, medyo ito yung nangyari. But I think lahat naman may purpose and may reason kung bakit nangyari ito. Siguro, tuloy-tuloy lang and I am sure magiging okay din ang lahat,” Delos Santos said.
Despite the emotional turn, Delos Santos expressed deep appreciation to Cignal management for the trust and long-term support that allowed him to build the Super Spikers into one of the league’s most consistent podium finishers.
Since the PVL turned professional in 2021, he steered Cignal to three silver medals and five bronze finishes, reaching the podium in eight of the 15 conferences they joined—a testament to their sustained competitiveness.
Their strongest push came in the recently concluded AFC, where the Super Spikers re-established themselves as title threats behind the breakout of Gandler, Santos, Gel Cayuna, Tine Tiamzon, Dawn Catindig, and Rose Doria-Aquino.
“Siyempre, sobrang laki ng utang na loob ko sa Cignal. Grabe yung opportunity na binigay nila sa akin. And yung respect na natanggap ko sa kanila, kasi all throughout, nandiyan sila — through ups and downs,” Delos Santos expressed.
It has been a whirlwind stretch for Delos Santos, who transitioned from Cignal’s abrupt exit to immediately steering University of Santo Tomas in its stepladder win over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
With the victory, the Golden Tigresses advance to face second-ranked National University on Saturday, 3 p.m., at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, with a Finals berth at stake.
“I am so grateful kasi very transparent din si Lord na parang yesterday, ang ano ng sitwasyon namin at ng pakiramdam namin. But right now, binigyan kami ng another blessing dahil naka-survive kami. Kailangan lang talaga tanggapin mo at move forward din. Kailangan maging strong ka talaga,” he expressed.
While he has yet to receive offers for a potential next coaching stint in the PVL, Delos Santos said his immediate concern is ensuring that all his former Cignal players find new opportunities in the next conference.
Ideally, he hopes the group can stay intact under a new banner, though he acknowledged that no such opportunity has surfaced so far.
“Siyempre, hopefully, magkaroon ng panibagong teams sila if ever. Ako rin, best effort sa mga kaibigan namin sa ibang teams kung ano ang puwede naming maitulong sa kanila. Siyempre, ayaw naman naming biglang mawawala yung trabaho nila kasi knowing them, pwedeng lumaban talaga,” Delos Santos said.
“Well, kung merong opportunity na ganon, I think pwede. Bakit naman kami tatanggi, hindi ba? Pero right now, walang ganon. Nagusap naman yung team. Siguro for now, talagang magpahinga na muna. Kailangan maka-recover muna ang lahat.”
