Cignal is gearing up to face a grueling six-month campaign in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
However, they must tackle the challenge with a lean 11-player roster after the departure of several key reserves during the off-season.
Leading the list of departures is seasoned libero Jheck Dionela, who concluded an 11-year run with the HD Spikers to join Farm Fresh. There, she will reunite with former Cignal star Rachel Daquis.
Chai Troncoso has also exited, joining Jovelyn Gonzaga in ZUS Coffee.
Other players no longer with the squad include Chin Basas, Gen Casugod, and Troncoso.
Team captain Ces Molina holds no hard feelings toward her former teammates who moved on, expressing excitement at the prospect of competing against them.
“For me naman, I’m very, very proud sa mga teammates ko na nasa ibang team na rin. I know that they found a new home, and alam ko na yung personal growth nila yung isa sa pinaka-goal din nila. And alam ko rin na mas makaka-contribute sila kung nasaan man sila ngayon,” said Molina.
“I was really excited and talagang gusto ko na makaharap din sila kasi dati mong teammate, ngayon makikita mo na sila on the other side of the court. Challenging ‘yun na dati mo silang kasama na nakatulong, ngayon kalaban mo na sila.”
Despite these departures, Molina and the HD Spikers remain committed to pushing forward as they work to rebound from a semifinal exit in the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
Head coach Shaq Delos Santos acknowledges the challenges ahead but believes the remaining players’ versatility will be an asset for Cignal in the tournament.
(C) PVL Images
“Medyo challenging siya, but ang good thing kasi, may time kami para makapag-prepare, makapag-ready. So, nagiging flexible naman yung mga players namin especially Ces [Molina] na kayang maglaro ng opposite and then sa outside,” said Delos Santos.
“Ganun din sa ibang players. Dun na lang talaga sa training namin binubuhos lahat ng pwede naming magawa, yung mga options na pwede naming gawin. Yung mga rookies namin, sabi ko nga kanina, gusto ko silang tulungan para umangat,” he added.
“Hindi naman kailangan na may pangalan ka eh. Kailangan mong panindigan kung anong meron ka para magamit natin pagdating sa game.”
Molina and the HD Spikers have vowed to maximize every practice, dedicating themselves to staying competitive and prepared for the long season ahead.
“Sa amin talaga full of training lang, skills, self-preparation talaga kami,” said Molina. “Si coach na yung bahala talaga pagdating diyan sa mga rotation, and kung ano man yung ibibigay niya sa amin na responsibility tsaka na mga roles, yun talaga, kailangan namin yun i-perform and gampanan.”
