SHAQ delos Santos first had to process the shock exits of his longtime wards Ces Molina, his player of over a decade, and Riri Meneses before showing up to Cignal training again.
READ: Dawn, Cignal have no choice but to move on from Ces, Riri exits
“Sarili ko muna yung cinompose ko kasi syempre normally sa pagiging coach, marami talagang challenges na dumarating, kung paano na lang i-handle ‘yung ganung situation,” delos Santos said.
The HD Spikers’ champion tactician returned late to team training after spending time overseas during the holiday break.
Even from afar, delos Santos went on remote coaching duties by monitoring team practices through Zoom and making sure that the team stays sharp and in high spirits amid all the drama that went down with the departure of their two veteran mainstays.
“Medyo late na ako naka-balik sa training, pero habang mino-monitor ko sila sa video, sa Zoom, ‘yung performance hindi naman nagbabago,” said delos Santos.
“Mas nag-eenjoy pa nga sila. Nagco-commit talaga sila sa obligations na dapat nilang trabahuhin and goal that's why siguro nagkaroon kami ng magandang result (against Galeries Tower).”
Delos Santos did admit anticipating the worst in Molina and Meneses’ contract row.
And in the aftermath of an unfortunate fallout, the Cignal mentor chose to see the silver linings and move on.
“Du’n nangyari naman sa dalawang player, may mga nangyayari at nire-ready ko na rin ‘yung sarili ko na ito ‘yung pwedeng mangyari.
“Nu’ng dumating na ‘yung point na ‘yun, mas inisip ko na sobrang lucky or kumbaga blessed (pa rin kami) kasi meron kaming team na pwede naming pag-trabahuhan or i-focus ‘yung sarili namin and mas ma-enhance namin ‘yung kung anong meron kami na talent.
“We’re so happy na, ‘yun nga, lumalaban at lalaban at lalaban pa rin talaga kami.”
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