CIGNAL'S leave of absence is beginning to reshape the PVL landscape in a massive way.
Multiple sources told SPIN.ph that at least five former Super Spikers have already found new homes after Cignal ceased its league participation, with more roster movements expected in the coming days.
From the five, three are expected to remain teammates in their new club while the other two will likewise be together elsewhere.
While several former Super Spikers have already finalized their new deals, at least two more players are still in active negotiations involving offers believed to be in the high six-figure range.
Those talks remain fluid as teams continue recalibrating both their rosters and financial flexibility in the wake of one of the PVL’s most surprising franchise exits in recent memory.
The situation has also exposed just how valuable Cignal’s core had become after the team’s runner-up finish in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference, where several of its stars significantly raised their market value.
Now, clubs are moving quickly before the remaining marquee names are off the market.
And as the player movement frenzy intensifies, at least half of the nine remaining PVL teams have already made their moves to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the Super Spikers core’s sudden dispersal. - John Mark Garcia
De Brito taking PNVF to court
THE ongoing legal battle between the Philippine THE legal dispute between the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and former Alas Pilipinas Women head coach Jorge Souza de Brito appears to be headed for the courts.
SPIN.ph learned the two camps failed to reach a settlement in Monday’s conciliation-mediation proceedings under the National Labor Relations Commission’s Single Entry Approach (SEnA), prompting de Brito’s side to take the issue further.
“The PNVF, through its counsel, informed us that it is not inclined to agree with the money claims of Coach De Brito,” said the Brazilian coach’s legal counsel, Atty. Rex Enrico Cruz III.
According to Cruz, two key points of disagreement surfaced during the hearing.
First, the federation, sources say, argued that it still needs to verify the podium finishes achieved by de Brito with Alas Pilipinas Women, accomplishments tied to the incentives being claimed by the former national team coach.
Two, the PNVF also maintained that the financial claims should not be directed toward incumbent federation president Tony Boy Liao.
De Brito’s camp, however, clarified that the case was never aimed at holding Liao personally liable.
“We are not demanding any personal liability from Mr. Liao. The claim is always against the PNVF, never against Mr. Liao,” Cruz stressed.
Cruz emphasized the broader implications the dispute could carry for Philippine volleyball and the country’s sporting image internationally.
“Philippine sports federations cannot invite foreign coaches, enter into a contract with them, and ask their help for the development of the national team and then not fulfill their financial responsibilities,” Cruz said.
“It will not look good on the image of the Philippines.”
De Brito previously handled Alas Pilipinas Women before being replaced by Thai coach Tai Bundit. - John Mark Garcia
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