If you think Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos has already brought out the best in Gel Cayuna, think again.
Cayuna has already made significant strides since transferring to the HD Spikers and reuniting with delos Santos.
Yet she continues to elevate her game — as evidenced by the team’s last two victories in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The 26-year-old playmaker has already showcased her scoring skills in past conferences, but she took it to a whole different level this time around.
On Thursday night, Cayuna delivered 11 points on seven attacks, three kill blocks, and one ace to go along with 16 excellent sets to lead Cignal to a four-set, 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22 victory over Choco Mucho.
She also tallied nine markers complemented by 20 excellent sets in the 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-21 win against Chery Tiggo last Thursday, before putting up five points and 16 sets in their debut win against Farm Fresh.
Delos Santos praised Cayuna’s maturity and dedication to improving her game, but also credited the entire team for creating the ideal environment for the Far Eastern University standout to thrive.
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“When it comes to dun sa situation na ganito, alam niya na yung gagawin. Siguro yung maturity din, yung nag-improvement niya every conferences, and then yung sa training, and then yung mga ideas lang na nabibigay namin… Siguro lahat magkakasama na dun,” said delos Santos, who coached Cayuna during her time with the Lady Tamaraws.
“And good thing, lahat yung buong team namin na maganda yung response dun sa lahat ng ginagawa naming paghihirap.”
The former national team coach also revealed that it had always been part of the plan for the players to contribute in all areas – whether on offense, defense, or playmaking.
“Bali, ‘yun talaga yung plano din talaga. Bina-balance ko lang din kasi siyempre every game siya talaga yung main setter. So parang timing lang siguro. Pero yung iba kasi nasa galaw na.”
For her part, Cayuna said that she’s actually working hard at practice, focusing on further improving her offensive game.
“Tinatrabaho naman namin sa training. Kilala niyo naman ako kung paano ako maglaro. Alam niya rin na kaya akong umatake, kaya yun nga sa training talaga ginagawa din talaga namin, kaya rin lumalabas din sa games,” said Cayuna.
