The growing connection between Erika Santos and Gel Cayuna is transforming Cignal into an even more dangerous contender in the 2025 PVL On Tour.
After spending most of her stint with PLDT in the shadows of more established names, Santos is finally stepping into the spotlight at Cignal — emerging as the league’s top scorer and most efficient spiker after the knockout round.
A key factor behind this breakout performance? The steady and evolving connection she’s built with veteran setter Gel Cayuna.
For Cayuna, that chemistry didn’t take long to develop.
“Si Erika naman, magaan lang siya kasama doon sa loob ng court. So ‘yung communication namin inside and outside the court, kaya ‘yun nga, kapag may mga adjustments, nag-uusap talaga kami,” said the four-time PVL Best Setter of the Conference.
(C) PVL Images
That synergy was once again on full display Thursday night. The former La Salle standout exploded for 11 points in the second set alone — matching Akari’s total in that frame — to power Cignal to a 25-20, 25-11, 28-26 quarterfinals win.
“Hindi ko napansin na straight kasi kung ano hinahagis na set ni Ate Gel, palo lang ako. Kung ano binibigay… Talagang parang thankful ako sa kanya kasi pinagtitiwalaan niya ako,” said Santos, who finished with a game-high 24 points in the one-hour, 34-minute match.
While their on-court connection has blossomed over the course of the tournament, Cayuna admitted she already had a strong sense of Santos’ capabilities from the start.
“Ayun, sobrang tiwala rin ako sa kanya kasi alam ko kung ano ‘yung strengths niya, kung ano ‘yung kaya niyang i-contribute sa team. Looking forward pa sa lahat ng ia-adjust pa namin, and sure ako na mas magiging okay pa ‘yung connection namin,” said the former FEU standout.
Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos, for his part, feels thrilled to see two of his key players coming together at the perfect time.
“We’re so thankful na nag-yes siya sa ’min, and we’re really happy na napunta siya sa Cignal,” said Delos Santos, referring to Santos’ move from PLDT.
“Alam ko kasi kung ano pa ‘yung kaya niyang gawin — even before pa. Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko, tutulungan ko siya at ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko, kung ano ‘yung binibigay ko kina Gel at sa buong team.”
