Erika Santos joins the Cignal HD Spikers in search of growth and new challenges, leaving the PLDT High Speed Hitters to embrace a fresh opportunity in the PVL.
Erika Santos’ next move has been made official as she joins the retooled Cignal HD Spikers.
Known as a reliable opposite hitter, many PVL fans were surprised to see Santos part ways with the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
But after three years with the teams, Santos admitted that she wanted to seek new opportunities for growth and development.
“Siguro gusto kong mag-grow pa, bagong environment, since ‘yun nga, ‘yung mantra ko kasi sa life is seek discomfort,” Santos shared. “Hindi naman sa wala na akong growth sa PLDT, it's just parang gusto ko pa ng more.”
Cignal has been busy revamping its roster in the offseason, and Santos adds much-needed depth in the opposite position — an area the team has long sought to strengthen.
A former DLSU standout, Santos said the move was also fueled by admiration for how Cignal plays as a unit.
“Before pa, like the time I joined PLDT, nasa top na ‘yung Cignal, one of the competitive teams dito sa PVL. So ‘yun, nakakalaban namin, may times pa na hindi namin matalo-talo. So ‘yun, gusto kong matutunan ‘yung sistema at kung paano sila,” she explained.
Santos added that the opportunity to fill a vacant role at opposite made the decision even more compelling.
“Overwhelming,” she admitted. “Kasi parang aside sa gusto ko ‘yung naririnig ko and yung mga sistema nila coach, tapos may opportunity na walang opposite na spot na ‘yun. So parang overwhelming, masaya, and parang doon na mag-start yung growth ulit.”
Santos also couldn’t hide her excitement over teaming up with veteran setter Gel Cayuna, a player she has long admired.
“Hindi na tayo lalayo, si Ate Gel,” Santos said with a smile. “Yung mga sets niya, yung mga sobrang sibat — kahit kami kalaban, kapag nag-viewing, hindi namin mapag-aralan basta-basta. Kasi yun nga, the way na deliver niya yung mga sets sa mga spikers.”
Now part of Cignal’s reloaded squad alongside recent signings Tin Tiamzon, Heather Guino-o, and Ethan Arce, Santos hopes to make a strong impact to a determined HD Spikers squad ready to bounce back from their early exit in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.