Shaq delos Santos let Cignal’s game do the talking on Saturday night after allegations of mistreatment surfaced online prior to the team’s penultimate match in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Delos Santos found himself at the center of a social media storm last Thursday, with some fans online accusing the decorated head coach of verbally and mentally abusing his team.
The former national team head coach politely declined to comment on the issue, but Cignal’s performance and upbeat approach against PLDT might have proven that all is well between delos Santos and his players.
“I think personally ‘yung siguro ‘yung mga na-experience namin this conference kasi siyempre, to be honest, mabigat para sa aming lahat at tinanggap namin ‘yon dahil ‘yon talaga ‘yung binigay sa amin ngayong conference,” said delos Santos, as the HD Spikers got eliminated just minutes before their match against the High Speed Hitters due to Chery Tiggo’s win over Akari.
“Pero ang sabi nga namin hindi tayo pwedeng matapos dito na gano’n lang, na parang mababalewala lang kung sino talaga ‘yung team,” added delos Santos.
After starting the season strong with a 4-1 win-loss record, the HD Spikers have since spiraled down, losing three of their last four matches heading into their match against the High Speed Hitters.
However, a revitalized Cignal showed up at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex, bucking a tight opening-set loss to essay a 24-26, 26-24, 25-17, 28-26 victory, which put a huge dent in PLDT’s semis dreams.
It was a completely different HD Spikers squad from their previous games, as the team showed renewed energy in their rousing victory that shook the PVL semifinals race to its core.
Aside from smearing the High Speed Hitters’ bid, Cignal’s victory also allowed defending champion Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Petro Gazz to formally make their way into the semifinals.
“Pero kanina, sobrang nakaka-proud kasi alam mo ‘yung, nakaka-miss talaga ‘yung bakbakan, ‘yung ganung laro nung team. Kaya sabi ko nga kanina, ambait natin. Ambait natin kanina, sobrang close fight na pero ano pa rin nung dating,” said delos Santos.
“So sabi ko tapangan lang natin. Ilaban natin kasi alam ko naman kung ano ‘yung kaya ng team so ayon. Kaya very thankful and proud ako sa buong team.”
