SHAQ delos Santos refused to let the specifics slip in terms of how and why Cignal parted ways with Greek import Eva Chantava after just two games.
A closed-door deliberation had the Super Spikers management reach a consensus of switching reinforcements before their two-game slump swells further.
They were able to cut that skid short against the odds as its all-Filipino team blitzed two-time champion PLDT in straight sets on Tuesday, 25-17, 25-22, 25-21.
READ: All-Filipino Cignal snaps PLDT's 15-game win streak
Moving forward, all signs now point to 25-year-old Slovakian winger Katrin Trebichavská taking Chantava’s place as early as Saturday against Farm Fresh in Montalban bar any late documentary issues.
SPIN.ph learned that there hasn’t been a formal confirmation of the import switch from the PVL’s end.
As reiterated by PVL control committee chairman Sherwin Malonzo, only medical reasons or an abandonment or breach of contract will be accepted as valid grounds for any team to change imports.
When asked by SPIN.ph about it, delos Santos gave no answers and sought for privacy instead.
“Hihingi muna ako ng respeto sa inyo. Hindi muna namin masasagot ‘yan regarding that. Magki-keep quiet muna kami,” the Cignal head coach said.
“Kung anuman ‘yung mga next na mangyayari, mas kailangan naming i-improve ‘yung team namin especially na nakita namin ngayon kung gaano kami kasaya at kung gaano kami ka-eager manalo ngayon.
“‘Yun lang muna ‘yung focus namin ngayon.”
Part of brushing away import-related chatter was putting a premium on how such a drastic development was able to switch the Super Spikers on after a gloomy two-game start.
“Ang pinaka-takeaway dito is nagising din lahat eh. Kinailangan ko rin gawin bilang coach na kausapin ‘yung team, i-motivate at i-encourage sila sa kung ano ‘yung goal at ‘yung purpose namin,” delos Santos said.
“Pina-realize din sa’kin talaga na maraming mga bagay na ang dami naming kailangang ipagpasalamat pero mas nagfo-focus kami du’n sa mga iilang bagay na mas nalulungkot tayo.
“Bakit natin pinapaabot du’n pa?”
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