Erika Santos reminded everyone why she’s a PVL MVP, powering Cignal to an improbable sweep of PLDT despite playing without an import in their 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference clash on Tuesday night.
With the Super Spikers parting ways with Greek import Eva Chantava, they were forced to go all-Filipino against the defending champions — a PLDT side that had won 15 straight games and two consecutive titles.
But Santos rose to the occasion, teaming up with Ishie Lalongisip to deliver a stunning 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 victory over the High Speed Hitters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For Cignal to rediscover its winning form, the players needed to look inward and find what was missing.
(C) PVL Images
“Siguro masasabi ko na masyadong stiff yung bawat isa. Parang nakakalimutan namin kung saan kami, kung ano yung skills ng bawat isa. Nananaig yung mga errors namin na naka-focus lang kami, hindi kami makapag-move forward,” said Santos, reflecting on their 0-2 start to the conference.
“So yun, tinrabaho lang namin, nag-reflect kami kung ano man yung kailangan namin i-improve. So yun, feeling namin, nagbunga naman,” she continued.
After being limited to just seven points against Choco Mucho and two points versus Farm Fresh, Santos finally rediscovered her rhythm with 17 points on 17-of-36 attacks against PLDT.
Her final four points proved crucial, as they helped Cignal overturn a 19-20 deficit into a 23-20 lead before completing the sweep in one hour and 22 minutes.
“Grateful lang din ako kasi yun, nakukuha na namin yung groove ng team. Nagko-connect naman. Tapos hindi naging hadlang yung mga losses namin para makuha namin yung mood namin sa today’s game,” said the PVL On Tour MVP.
“Siguro sa akin personally, nag-stay focus lang kami tsaka composed. Hindi namin tinitignan kung ano yung past games. Siguro mas namo-motivate kami para maging eager pa sa panalo.”
