When the Cignal HD Spikers stepped onto the court for the resumption of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, they were a team transformed.
The absence of their two stars—former PVL MVP Ces Molina and Best Middle Blocker Riri Meneses—had left a void, but it also ignited a spark within the squad.
For libero-turned-captain Nicole Catindig, the challenge was familiar territory.
A year ago, Catindig faced a seismic shift in her career when F2 Logistics, her former team, disbanded unexpectedly.
The upheaval left her with a wealth of hard-earned lessons about resilience and adaptability—lessons she now brings to Cignal during their transitional phase.
“More of siguro I just give my best lagi kung ano ‘yung kailangan gawin,” shared Catindig. “Sobrang minimal naman ng ginagawa ko. Actually, ‘yung magsabi ng reminders kasi everyone naman themselves is a leader, so hindi masyadong grabe ‘yung role ko.”
This shared leadership approach has been crucial for Cignal. Catindig, taking on the captaincy in the wake of Molina’s departure, has emphasized teamwork and collective accountability.
“Ang maganda sa team lahat kami may responsibilities,” she explained. “It’s a shared leadership so hindi rin ako na-overwhelm na ako ‘yung ginawang captain.”
In their return, the HD Spikers have showcased a united front.
Their opening match against Galeries Tower proved their mettle, as they cruised to a convincing 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 victory.
Vanie Gandler led the way with 17 points, while Rose Doria-Aquino, Ishie Lalongisip, and Jackie Acuña chipped in nine points each.
For Gandler, stepping into a bigger role alongside Catindig has been a rewarding challenge.
“It’s really challenging, of course, but then I’m not alone,” Gandler said. “We didn’t dwell on the absence of our key players. The only way to improve is to accept the challenges.”
The former Ateneo standout praised her teammates’ efforts, highlighting the strong communication and camaraderie on the court.
“Inside the court, you can hear everyone leading in their own ways, as in teamwork talaga,” she said. “It’s so nice to hear and it’s so fun to play.”
For head coach Shaq delos Santos, the team’s seamless adaptation has been a source of pride.
“Well, una iyong sarili ko muna yung cinompose ko kasi siyempre, normally sa pagiging coach, marami talagang challenges na dumarating,” said delos Santos. “Ang good thing kasi doon sa team, kahit medyo late na ako nakabalik sa training, yung performance nila hindi naman nagbabago.”
Delos Santos credited the players’ commitment to their training and goals as the key to their early success.
“Mas nag-eenjoy pa nga sila,” he noted. “Nagco-commit talaga sila doon sa obligations na dapat nilang trabahuhin and goal, that’s why siguro nagkaroon kami ng magandang result. Hopefully, mas mag-progress pa and mag-improve.”
