ERIKA Santos’ departure from PLDT came as a shock for a team in search of steady scoring backups for its Fil-Canadian winger Savi Davison.
As shocking as it was, Santos’ decision to try out greener pastures has so far played out for the better.
From becoming the 11th local player in the PVL’s 30-point club to winning her first MVP award in the PVL on Tour, it was a career pivot that has since positioned the former La Salle second stringer into stardom.
READ: PLDT continues hot run by sweeping Cignal in PVL Invitationals
Playing PLDT for first time since leaving her old team, Santos' 10-point performance for Cignal wasn't enough to score a breakthrough victory over her former team. The High Speed Hitters won in straight sets, 25-19, 25-13, 25-22.
PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort always saw star quality in Santos, leading him and the team to pursue the Pampanga-born spiker back in 2022.
He even considered Santos as a ‘project’ he was eager to work on since she joined the PLDT stable.
“Coming from a short collegiate career, pagpasok ko sa PLDT, talagang hinubog ko yan si Erika na maabot ‘yung role na yan,” Ricafort said.
“Nasa Cignal na siya pero ‘yung potential niya, matagal namin yan hinintay, kahit kung nasa amin man siya o wala, [lalo] na’t naabot niya pa yung [MVP] award last time.”
All for the best, both ways
Their amicable parting of ways, in Ricafort’s view, was one for the better for all involved.
“At least kahit papano, tuwing magkikita kami, walang bad blood,” Ricafort said.
“Very happy kami sa kanya, very supportive, sadyang kapag ganito, kapag nakakatapat lang, nakakatuwa kasi parang nasa training lang ulit kami.”
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