Erika Santos has said it before: she loves playing in front of a packed arena—even when more than half the crowd is rooting for the other side.
The Cignal star thrives in chaos and embraces the mayhem, ready to unleash her best against crowd favorites Creamline as their best-of-three Finals series in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference begins Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Like I always say talaga, masarap maglaro under pressure so nasa iyo na talaga kung paano mo laruin and kung paano mo gagawin yung best mo para maoutplay yung kalaban,” said Santos on Thursday, following the final day of the round-robin semifinals.
The series marks a milestone for the 5-foot-9 opposite spiker, as it will be her first-ever Finals appearance in the PVL—this time as one of the faces of the Cignal Super Spikers.
All three games—if the series goes the distance—will be held at the Big Dome, which is expected to be filled with predominantly pink-clad supporters.
(C) PVL Images
But Santos is not content with just reaching the Finals—she wants the championship.
“Uhaw kasi ang tagal na nito eh, parang ilang years din in the making tapos finally nandito na sa may finals so ayun, gutom na gutom kunin yung medal at yung trophy,” said the inaugural PVL On Tour MVP.
From being a seldom-used player at De La Salle University to taking on a supporting role with PLDT, Santos has transformed into a full-fledged star with Cignal.
Still, she knows there is one thing missing from her career—the ultimate prize.
“Hindi naging madali yung transition kasi kailangan mag-adjust sa new system, pero good thing talagang tiniyaga nila Coach Shaq, so nagbubunga naman, nagiging okay naman yung outcome, so hopefully mabuhos ko pa lahat sa finals,” she said.
“Siyempre masaya kasi nag-a-align na yung pinagtrabahuhan ng bawat isa and yung goals namin, pero siyempre uhaw yung bawat isa and lalo na ako, first time kong mag-finals so gagawin ko yung best ko.”
