Cignal is exploring legal options following the departure of Ces Molina and Riri Meneses from the HD Spikers ahead of the resumption of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Avior Talent Management, which represents both Molina and Meneses, earlier announced that the players have decided to leave Cignal, and expressed gratitude to the team for its unwavering support.
The team currently ranks second in the ongoing all-local tilt.
However, the HD Spikers disclosed that the agency only informed the team last January 6 and followed up on their request earlier today of its decision to terminate the players’ active contract extensions to seek opportunities abroad.
“Avior Talent Management, which represents Ces Molina and Riri Meneses, reached out to team management earlier today following a formal letter sent on January 6, requesting to end their live contract extension in order to pursue unspecified opportunities abroad,” said Cignal in a statement.
The HD Spikers also revealed that they sent formal extension offers as early as October last year – a full month before the opening of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
Molina and Meneses’ camp did not respond to any communications.
The two players featured in Cignal’s first five games of the tournament before the holiday break, helping the team secure a strong 4-1 start. However, the team stated that both players ceased attending practices earlier last week.
“We are currently consulting our legal team to determine all possible courses of action regarding this material breach of both players’ contracts,” the statement continued.
“Team management initiated renewal discussions via formal offers as early as October 2024. Unfortunately, both players have not responded to any communications and have ceased attending training since its resumption earlier this week.”
Cignal stated that this constitutes a material breach of contract and that they have already consulted their legal team on how to proceed with the matter.
With the two out, the HD Spikers will only have 12 players on their roster when they resume action on January 21 against Galeries Tower.
