Cignal setter Gel Cayuna is grateful to head coach Shaq Delos Santos for handing her the reins against Creamline despite missing the team’s past practices due to rest, Thursday.
“Sobrang thankful kasi binigyan ako ng tiwala ni coach na kahit ilang days din ako hindi nakapag-ensayo,” said Cayuna after the team’s big four-set win over the Cool Smashers.
Backup playmaker Ayel Estrañero, who filled in for Cayuna in the team’s sweep of Chery Tiggo last Saturday, started the game against the Cool Smashers but was eventually replaced by Cayuna late in the opener.
The Far Eastern University product said that while she missed a couple of training sessions, she made sure to keep herself in shape by doing home workouts.
“Actually, kahapon na bigyan siya ng medical certificate and then ngayon siya talaga pwede mag-laro,” shared Delos Santos.
“Pero good thing naman kasi sa bahay nagpapakundisyon pa rin ako. Ayun, muscle memory din talaga kaya nagawa ko pa rin yung dapat kong gawin,” Cayuna added.
Playing against an unbeaten Creamline team who has yet to lose a game ever since the 2021 Open Conference finals, Cayuna delivered the goods and powered the HD Spikers to a 25-21, 26-24, 14-25, 25-22 that helped her side clinch a spot in the playoffs.
The 23-year-old playmaker finished with 17 excellent sets to go along with six points as Cignal halted the Cool Smashers’ winning streak to 10 games.
She also provided the team a huge lift in the end game, scoring off a drop and an ace, respectively, to turn a 22-all deadlock to a 24-22 advantage in the fourth set. Cayuna also fired off a heavy serve that paved the way for Rachel Daquis to secure the victory.
Knowing Creamline’s caliber, Cayuna knew that the game would not be easy to take. So, she said that the team constantly reminded themselves throughout the match that they must outwork the Cool Smashers in order to have a chance at getting the win.
Cayuna also credited her veteran teammates for her fine performance, saying that it would not have been possible without their trust and guidance.
“Syempre iniisip ko lang yung mga experiences ko nung mga past games na ganun, dikitan din. Tiwala naman ako sa mga kasama ko talaga lalo na yung mga beterano kong kasama, yun yung porsyento ko na kapag nakikita ko talaga kumpyansa ako, inspired ako,” said Cayuna.
“Talagang tapangan lang namin kasi alam naman namin yung Creamline is talagang mga beterano, sanay sa mga gitgitan kaya sabi namin kunin lang talaga namin sa tiyaga talaga. Sipag lang.”
