Despite playing undermanned, Cignal still put up a huge fight against PLDT on the final day of the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference elimination round, Saturday.
The HD Spikers suffered their second consecutive loss but managed to give the High Speed Hitters a run for their money, 19-25, 20-25, 25-21, 22-25, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Cignal’s bench was missing seven players to start the contest.
Ayel Estrañero, Glaudine Troncoso, and Roselyn Doria missed their second consecutive game after being placed under the league’s health and safety protocols while Rachel Daquis missed her first game for the same reason.
Ces Molina, meanwhile, suffered a right ankle sprain during the team’s four-set loss to Petro Gazz last Tuesday while Marist Layug, who was able to join the team in the second set, was coming off her graduation from University of the Philippines.
“Health issues. Siyempre nagfofollow kami sa protocols. Tomorrow si Estranero, Doria, and si Chai Troncoso makakasama na sa team,” said delos Santos.
“Sila Rachel siguro Wednesday. We don’t know yet pa din kasi hindi ko pa alam kung pano yung schedule,” he added.
Delos Santos said that despite the loss, he is happy with how the rest of the HD Spikers stepped up against PLDT.
More importantly, he’s glad that the team was able to finish the elimination round without any more injuries.
“Sabi ko nga sa team una thankful kami kasi yung safety ng lahat walang injury. Performance-wise nakakatuwa yung mga players namin talagang kahit ganun yung naencounter namin still focused and laban ng laban kami,” said delos Santos.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila napakagandang opportunity na maglaro sila the whole game and makita namin kung ano yung pwede naming madiscover sa team.”
The decorated tactician also lauded Layug for her efforts. The UP product travelled all the way from her graduation to San Juan despite the rainy weather just to provide her teammates the much-needed help.
“Nakakatuwa kasi sabi namin Marist alam naming graduation mo ngayon pero talagang kailangan natin ng ganitong situation na mag-commit din,” said delos Santos.
“Pero sabi naman niya coach walang problema. Actually kahapon pa nya minemessage yung mga prof or organizer ng graduation na baka pwede right after na tawagin ako alis na ako. Nakakatuwa kasi nagperform din galing pang graduation. Baha, ang lakas ng ulan kahit ako nung papunta ako dito feeling ko alas sais na pero 12 pa lang,” he continued as Layug finished with five points in the contest.
As for Molina, Delos Santos said that the injury is not ‘too serious.’ They are hoping that their top spiker can be cleared for their first semifinals assignment against PLDT on Thursday.
“Sa ngayon okay naman siya. Nagpapagaling na lang. Hopefully in God’s will maka ano siya ng tuesday if ever may laro,” said the former national team head coach.
“Not too serious kailangan lang ng support sa paglakad para controlled yung paglakad hindi siya mabugbog. Okay naman daw. Pero siyempre may pain pa rin daw. Hopefully maging ok by Tuesday maging okay siya.”
For now, Delos Santos is praying that he can field a complete team come the playoffs.
But if worse comes to worst, the veteran coach said that the team will be ready to play the cards that will be dealt to them.
“Hopefully maging healthy na lahat kami kasi ang hirap. Grabe yung na-encounter namin pero kami inaccept namin in a positive way and alam ko may magandang purpose din si Lord. Kailangan lang namin maging strong and talagang laban ng laban.”
