Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos, the mastermind behind the powerhouse Petron squad that once wreaked havoc in the Philippine Super Liga, expressed his utmost respect to their once long-time rival F2 Logistics following the team’s disbandment last Wednesday.
The Cargo Movers are one of the most storied volleyball franchises in the Philippines.
They have won a total of five championships in the PSL, but recently announced their shift to the grassroots level, leaving the Premier Volleyball League Taraflex for good.
“Unang-una, siyempre nakakalungkot.
“Kasi knowing F2, for how many years sila magkakasama, solid… Alam mong every tournament since PSL hanggang PVL, aabangan mo talaga sila’t paghahandaan,” said Delos Santos following the HD Spikers’ Game 1 win over Chery Tiggo in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference battle for bronze on Thursday night.
Delos Santos’ Blaze Spikers and F2 Logistics went through countless battles in the PSL. They figured in seven thrilling finals match-ups that most definitely played a part in elevating women’s volleyball in the country.
The former national team mentor said that his past encounters against the formidable Cargo Movers allowed him to become the coach that he is today.
He even revealed that up to now, he has been using those experiences in coaching the HD Spikers.
“So ako, siguro nag-mature talaga ako doon as a coach na kailangan maging matibay din talaga, maging established din yung mga players ko and coaches kasi kailangan talaga naka-ready kami lahat eh. Hindi pwedeng eto lang at limited yung mga players na pwedeng mag-step up sa’yo,” said Delos Santos.
“Kumbaga, until now ganun din. Ito, ine-establish namin sa Cignal na kailangan lahat ng players talaga magdedeliver so yeah, sobrang laki ng natulong niya, ng F2, sa ‘kin personally kasi lahat kasi ng pwede mong magawa para mag-progress ka, maiisip at magagawa mo at hindi ka talaga magsa-stop kasi alam mong napaka-competitive nilang team so sobrang taas ng respect ko sa kanila.”
Having faced the same franchise in the PSL and up to now in the PVL, Delos Santos hopes that F2 Logistics’ coaching staff and players find a new home in the future.
“Hopefully, magkaroon pa rin ng magandang journey kung talagang wala na yung F2 for now, yung players sana magkaroon sila ng magandang journey,” he expressed.
“Alam kong ang dami pa nilang puwedeng magawa, marami pang pwedeng mga teams na pwede nilang matulungan at ma-share nila yung knowledge nila.”
