WHEN much of the PVL made headlines with sweeping roster moves, Cignal chose the quieter route.
And while several teams logged double-digit additions and departures, the Super Spikers saw only one exit in Judith Abil and one arrival in veteran setter Ivy Perez.
On the surface, it looked like a deliberate decision to make the smallest tweaks and stick with their status quo.
READ: Cignal opens PVL AFC campaign in style by sweeping Galeries Tower
But head coach Shaq delos Santos revealed that Cignal’s subdued offseason was less about restraint and more about circumstance.
“To be honest, gusto rin namin kumuha ng additional players. Sino ba namang tatanggi sa mga ganung klaseng players, ‘di ba,” delos Santos said.
“Hindi kami nabigyan ng opportunity na makapag-add pa ng mga wing spikers, lalo.”
With no reinforcements coming on the wings, Cignal instead leaned heavily on its existing core, and the results were immediate.
Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos and Tin Tiamzon combined for 45 points to power a dominant 25-17, 25-14, 25-11 opening-day win over Galeries Tower on Saturday.
Rather than dwelling on missed opportunities in free agency, delos Santos emphasized maximizing what the team already has.
“Kaya sa’min’g coaches, kung ano ‘yung meron kaming players, alam naming kaya pa namin silang palakasin,” he said.
“Kung ano ‘yung meron kami, kung ano ‘yung binigay, mas pagbubutihin at palalakasin pa namin.”
Familiarity breeds confidence
If the season opener was any indication, delos Santos is more than comfortable riding with his current group. For him, continuity and shared experience are assets just as valuable as star signings.
“‘Yung commitment din talaga ng mga players, I’m sure nahihirapan din sila sa mga challenges na pinagdadaanan namin pero ginagawa pa rin nila ‘yung mga dapat gawin sa training nang hindi nagrereklamo,” he said.
“Pinipilit nila na magawa nila ‘yung gusto naming ma-add pa sa knowledge nila.”
With tougher tests looming, Cignal’s understated offseason may yet turn into a competitive advantage when it matters most.
“Malaking help sa’min ‘yun na intact ‘yung core namin. Nandu’n pa rin kami sa proseso na kung paano pa namin siya mas mabi-build pa,” delos Santos said.
“‘Di talaga kami ngayon magsa-stop sa prosesong ‘to. Kung magiging mahirap, okay lang basta tuloy-tuloy lang kami sa ginagawa namin.”
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