The Cignal HD Spikers, one of the most successful teams in the Philippine volleyball scene, had a rough start in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference. After securing three podium finishes in the past year, they ended the eliminations with a 3-5 record, failing to advance to the semifinals.
Cignal's head coach, Shaq delos Santos, expressed disappointment over the team's performance and attributed their shortcomings to a lack of a solid foundation. He acknowledged that their sixth-place finish in the conference served as a wake-up call for the team.
In an interview after the team's final game in the conference, delos Santos said, "We need to go back to the drawing board and build a strong foundation. We've learned our lesson, and we'll use this experience as inspiration for the upcoming Invitational Conference."
Delos Santos also commented on the growing level of competition in the PVL and emphasized the importance of being prepared and in top condition. "The game has evolved, and the competition is getting tougher every season. We need to step up and be ready for whatever comes our way," he said.
Despite the team's disappointing finish, delos Santos remained optimistic and vowed to improve. "We fell short, and there are many things we need to work on, but we learned a lot from this experience. I accept this challenge, and I know the team does too. We're going to come back stronger and better," he said.
The Cignal HD Spikers have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in Philippine volleyball, and their determination to learn from their mistakes and improve bodes well for their future in the sport. Fans and supporters will surely be watching closely as they gear up for their next campaign.
