The 2020 PSL Grand Prix officially raised its curtains on Saturday, but one team still has a gaping hole in its roster.
Cignal paraded without a reinforcement during the opening ceremony of the season-opening conference, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Safe to say, import woes continue to pile on the HD Spikers.
After failing to receive the green light from Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani of America, Cignal opted to make a last-minute change by tapping the services of Jennifer Yanet Alvarez of Cuba. That, however, did not pan out due to unforeseen circumstances.
So, the HD Spikers sought for another foreign talent as recourse. They then chanced upon Liannes Simon.
The 34-year-old Cuban national is set to arrive on Saturday evening, as per Barroga.
“Nag-confirm na si Simon,” he said. “Si Simon actually dadating na mamaya, from Cuba.
“Medyo hindi siya ganun kabata pero experienced player.”
Simon, who stands at 6-foot-2, is 32 years old.
Of course, Cignal has yet to meet its reinforcement, let alone train and integrate her into the team’s system. Moreover, time is of the essence for the HD Spikers since their season opener is on Tuesday, March 3.
Still, Barroga is confident that Simon will get to break into his system just in time before their curtain-raiser.
“Nag-arrange ako ng training tomorrow kasi ‘pag dumating siya mamaya, ise-set up na namin kung ano ‘yung mga position niya, kung ano ‘yung setup ng pattern namin para mas maintindihan niya,” the Cignal mentor disclosed. “Then Monday rereviewhin namin.
“Hopefully, by Tuesday, medyo well-informed na siya tungkol sa sistema ng team.”
