Erin Pangilinan will now be under the tutelage of Shaq Delos Santos, a coach well-known for nurturing and developing top-caliber middle blockers.
Pangilinan was selected sixth overall by the Cignal HD Spikers during the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft held Sunday evening at the Novotel Hotel in Quezon City.
For the three-time UAAP champion from National University, being guided by Delos Santos marks the beginning of what she hopes will be an exciting and upward career trajectory.
“Nakakaexcite siya for me especially maraming room pa for improvement and learning, so exciting na marami pa akong matututunan kay Coach Shaq,” said Pangilinan.
“I think malaki yung ma-iimprove ko with them, especially nga makakasama ko rin sila ate Jackie (Acuna), ate (Rose) Doria, and other teammates pa po. I think sobrang bright yung future ko with Cignal,” she added.
Coming from a dominant collegiate program, Pangilinan brings with her the winning mentality that helped propel National University to multiple titles — most notably, her dedication and work ethic.
Cignal, meanwhile, is still in search of its first championship in the PVL. Despite consistently strong performances, the HD Spikers have yet to break through, settling for two silver and five bronze finishes across 11 conferences.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I think yung hard work (ang madadala ko) kasi lahat naman ng team hindi agad nasa taas eh. So yung paano magtrabaho, yung discipline, I think ayun yung isa sa madadala ko sa Cignal,” said the former Lady Bulldogs captain.
Joining Pangilinan in the Cignal rookie class is Jessa Ordiales from De La Salle University, who was selected 18th overall.
Ordiales, like Pangilinan, primarily plays as a middle blocker but also has experience playing as an opposite spiker. That versatility, according to Delos Santos, was a key factor in their selection.
Cignal’s current middle blocker rotation includes veterans Jackie Acuña, Rose Doria-Aquino, and Ethan Arce, but the addition of Pangilinan and Ordiales provides the team with new dimensions and depth.
“Sobrang happy kasi sila talaga yung ina-eye namin na players and luckily napunta sila sa amin. We’re so happy kasi malaking contribution silang dalawa para sa amin,” said Delos Santos.
“I’m sure iniisip ng tao parehas middle sila pero kaya nila maglaro sa ibang position, so hopefully mas ma-maximize namin sila.”
#WATCH: Erin Pangilinan says, “My future with Cignal is super bright!”
📹 Justin Valencia/Tiebreaker Times #PVLDraft pic.twitter.com/XGDskpcDyy
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 8, 2025
