VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR — Erika Santos couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Donning her new colors for the first time, Santos wasted no time proving she belonged with the Cignal HD Spikers, spearheading their emphatic straight-sets victory over the Akari Chargers to open the 2025 Premier Volleyball League On Tour Sunday evening at the Chavit Coliseum here.
In a 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 sweep, the 5-foot-9 opposite hitter tallied a game-high 14 points—all from sharp, decisive attacks. But more than the numbers, it was her commanding presence, seamless fit, and competitive fire that turned heads in her Cignal debut.
“It feels like home,” Santos said after the match. “I mean, maganda 'yong mga combination. Syempre, nakaka-overwhelm kasi first game on tour tapos first game ko sa Cignal. Pero, there's no room for complacency. Uhaw pa matuto.”
Santos’ arrival came at a crucial time for Cignal, which opened the PVL On Tour campaign without key names such as Dawn Catindig and Vanie Gandler and had undergone significant roster changes in the offseason. But any concerns were quickly put to rest as the former PLDT stalwart injected energy and firepower into the HD Spikers’ offensive arsenal.
Known for her grit and relentless drive, Santos made sure to keep her focus on learning and adapting despite the hot start.
“Happy ako kasi ayun maayos 'yung mga teammates, maayos ang coaches. Every time na mag-training may matututunan and hindi kami nag-stop para matuto and makinig kay coach,” she said.
Her connection with setter Gel Cayuna, the league’s reigning Best Setter, was one of the highlights of the night. The chemistry between the two looked polished, as if they had been playing together for years. For Santos, it wasn’t just on-court rhythm—it was trust and humility that drew her to Cignal in the first place.
“Sobrang okay kasi siya yung parang hindi mareklamo na setter,” Santos shared. “I mean, sa experience ko lang dito sa Cignal. Kahit na kami yung mali parang nagsosorry pa siya, parang kami na yung mahihiya.”
Cayuna’s steady leadership and Santos’ scoring instinct were key ingredients to Cignal’s early control of the match. The second set was a masterclass in momentum, with Santos firing away and the HD Spikers cruising to a double-digit margin. Akari tried to mount a late push in the third, but Santos once again answered the call to seal the match.
Head coach Shaq Delos Santos, who’s tasked with steering Cignal through a retooling phase, beamed with pride as his squad delivered a solid first outing. The trust he placed in his newest weapon paid off instantly.
Santos, for her part, remains grounded despite the impressive debut. For her, the journey has just begun.
“So ayun, pahinga. So yun parang first game, thank God nanalo,” she said. “So ayun, hindi pa kami magstop dito and magtutuloy-tuloy pa.”
