In the swirling tempest of online accusations and speculation, Shaq delos Santos, the revered coach of the Cignal HD Spikers, chose a path less spoken—letting the game itself become the herald of truth.
Amidst vile rumors spread online, delos Santos maintained a dignified silence, allowing the court to become his pulpit, and his team, the voice of affirmation.
Yet, rather than engage in a war of words, the coach opted for action, letting the performance of his players refute any shadow of doubt.
While the storm brewed online, Cignal’s demeanor on the court against PLDT High Speed Hitters spoke volumes.
Delos Santos, seasoned by his tenure as a former national team head coach, chose not to dignify the accusations with a response.
Instead, the HD Spikers, under his mentorship, exuded a vigor and determination that belied any notion of discord.
“I think personally 'yung siguro 'yung mga na-experience namin this conference kasi siyempre, to be honest, mabigat para sa aming lahat at tinanggap namin 'yon dahil 'yon talaga 'yung binigay sa amin ngayong conference,” said delos Santos, as the HD Spikers got eliminated just minutes before their match against the High Speed Hitters due to Chery Tiggo’s win over Akari.
“Pero ang sabi nga namin hindi tayo pwedeng matapos dito na gano'n lang, na parang mababalewala lang kung sino talaga 'yung team,” added delos Santos.
The journey for Cignal in the conference had been fraught with hurdles.
Despite a promising start with a 4-1 record, they stumbled, losing three out of their last four matches.
However, their encounter with the High Speed Hitters revealed a rejuvenated squad.
In a thrilling showdown at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex, Cignal clawed back from an early setback to clinch a 24-26, 26-24, 25-17, 28-26 victory, all but shattering PLDT's dreams of a semifinal berth.
It was a spectacle of resilience, as the HD Spikers orchestrated a performance that reverberated beyond the confines of the court.
Their triumph not only thwarted the aspirations of their opponents but also paved the way for defending champions Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Petro Gazz to solidify their spots in the semifinals.
For delos Santos, it was a moment of pride and validation, as he witnessed his team reclaim their ferocity and unity in the face of adversity.
“Pero kanina, sobrang nakaka-proud kasi alam mo 'yung, nakaka-miss talaga 'yung bakbakan, 'yung ganung laro nung team. Kaya sabi ko nga kanina, ambait natin. Ambait natin kanina, sobrang close fight na pero ano pa rin nung dating,” said delos Santos.
“So sabi ko tapangan lang natin. Ilaban natin kasi alam ko naman kung ano 'yung kaya ng team so ayon. Kaya very thankful and proud ako sa buong team.”
