GOLD HUNTERS
Cignal was on the cusp of winning a first-ever PVL title in the last Invitational Conference. But the HD Spikers learned how difficult it is to finish off a Finals opponent when the team on the other side of the net is Creamline.
Cignal lost their chance at a crown in a five-set knockout match, but instead of feeling disheartened, the HD Spikers became more than just hungry for a crown.
“Really, really hungry,” HD Spikers setter Gel Cayuna told the Inquirer after Cignal bucked a third-set hiccup against Choco Mucho en route to a 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22 decision on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.
“That’s the reason why we don’t stop working because we were almost there but [ended up] with a silver,” Cayuna added. “So what’s next to that? It means that we are close, so we really won’t stop [until we achieve our goal].”
The three-time league best setter showed that hunger against the Flying Titans, who have yet to return to their prime form, and tossed 16 excellent sets that allowed four of her teammates to reach double digits in scoring.
Aside from that, she also came up with 11 points.
Although there’s still a long way down the road, the HD Spikers are off to a good start toward reaching that goal this All-Filipino Conference.
They have a 3-0 (win-loss) record despite the departures that struck their team but Cayuna, who has helped Cignal through the good and the bad times with her steady presence, feels that the team still has more positions in the roster left to fill.
“Our coaching staff is hardworking and patient with us players so that even if we aren’t complete due to some [players] leaving … they don’t lose hope and help us keep improving the team,” Cayuna said.
“We still move well even if we lack some players but they find a way, so credit really to the coaches [and] of course to my teammates, who also work hard and keep their cool [during tough situations].”
No doubt
Jackie Acuña top-scored the HD Spikers with 14 points, five coming from blocks, Ces Molina chipped in 13 points, all but one from kills, while Vanie Gandler and Riri Meneses added 10 points each. Gandler also caught 14 excellent digs while Dawn Macandili-Catindig did her usual thing on defense with 22 excellent digs.
Cayuna did not run out of praise for her teammates, adding that they have helped ease the loss of key cogs.
“Every training is not perfect but we just understand each other, and the perseverance of each one can be seen in the game,” she said.
“What’s good is my teammates not only know how to play one position, they can play any position they are given, so they find a way that it feels like we didn’t lose anything,” Cayuna added.
“When it comes to how I deal with everything, I can’t answer anything (laughs), I just think about the sacrifices of my teammates in training, so that even during times when things aren’t perfect, you know that we are doing our best.”
Coach Shaq delos Santos doesn’t doubt that, and he urges Cayuna to refrain from second-guessing herself, too.
“Coach [Shaq] always reminds me to not doubt my decisions on the court, and so it helps me automatically [play better],” she said.
