Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos is elated to finally see the fans grace the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
The league played all of its group stage matches at the Paco Arena in Manila before eventually coming home to the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan for the playoffs. Finally back to where it all started, the league also welcomed its fans for the first time since 2019.
"Ako sobrang happy. Actually, papunta pa lang kami dito then nung 'pag pasok namin diyan sa San Juan parang nakakaano ulit, actually nakakakilabot nga nung nakita namin," said Delos Santos as Cignal opened the PVL's first game back in San Juan against BaliPure.
Hearing the fans' cheers and jeers also brought joy to Delos Santos as he explained the crowd's importance in the games. Moreover, he lauded the fans' unconditional love for the game.
"Ang sarap sa feeling then ngayon naririnig na ulit namin yung sigaw which is ang laki kasing factor ng fans kasi alam naman natin kung gaano ka-mahal yung volleyball parang kung gaano natin ka-mahal yung sport natin, ganoon din nila ka-love yun," he added.
The HD Spikers made sure to give the crowd a treat, whipping BaliPure, 25-14, 25-9, 25-14, to advance to the semifinals of the Open Conference. The team's dominance was in full display in the match, particularly when they capped off the second set with a fiery 17-3 blast.
"Kami sobrang nakakatuwa kasi parang ito na, nafefeel na natin yung bumabalik na kahit papaano so I guess good start ulit. Hopefully talaga mag tuloy tuloy na."
