CIGNAL has knocked on the door too many times to let this one slip.
From a sweep loss in the 2022 Reinforced Conference to a five-set collapse against Creamline in the 2024 Invitationals, the Super Spikers have come close, only to always fall short.
READ PVL FINALS: As Cignal eyes first crown, Creamline seeks revival
For longtime setter Gel Cayuna, a witness to both runner-up finishes, this latest finals run carries more than just another shot at a title. It carries the weight of everything they’ve been through.
“Ang dami na rin talagang pinagdaanan namin. Ang dami nang iyak,” said setter Gel Cayuna, who was part of both runner-up finishes.
“Umaabot naman sa finals pero hindi talaga nanalo. This time, ‘yung opportunity na ibibigay ni Lord, talagang iga-grab namin at pagtatrabahuan namin.”
Head coach Shaq delos Santos has been on the same journey, with years of tweaking lineups, refining systems and searching for the right formula all leading back to this point.
“Ako, bilang head ng team, ang dami ko nang ginawang way para makuha ‘yung tamang timpla, ‘yung pwedeng gawing adjustments, even ‘yung players, ‘yung adjustments na ginagawa nila sa’kin and kung paano nila i-absorb ‘yung system na ginagawa namin every day,” he said.
“Sobrang dami nang sakit na naramdaman namin for how many years and conferences na talagang hindi kami nainip at tinanggap lang namin ‘yung mga bagay. Sobrang natuto kami du’n. Hindi kami nag-give up.”
For all the near-misses, Cignal believes it has learned what it takes, not just to reach the finals, but to carry itself like a champion.
“To be honest, ‘di pa naman kami nagcha-champion talaga, pero may idea naman kami kung paano dapat mag-act nang tama, based na lang din sa experiences namin,” Delos Santos said.
“‘Yung championship kasi, nandiyan lang naman siya lagi. Ang pinaka-importante is kung paano mo siya tinatrabaho every day and kung paano ka mag-act as a champion din.”
Now back on the biggest stage, the Super Spikers are not just chasing a first title. They are chasing closure.
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