Erika Santos leaned on her familiarity with former team PLDT and embraced the pressure to power Cignal’s first win of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference even without an import.
Cignal finally barged into the win column of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference — and Erika Santos made sure to lead the way.
Santos delivered a game-high 17 points, all off attacks, as the Super Spikers swept the two-time PVL champions PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-17, 25-22, 25-21, on Tuesday night, October 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The victory was even more impressive given that Cignal pulled it off without import Eva Chantava and star spiker Vanie Gandler, marking a crucial breakthrough after a 0-2 start to their campaign.
Familiarity as an advantage
For Santos, who spent multiple seasons wearing the PLDT jersey before transferring to Cignal, facing her former team gave her valuable insight into their tendencies, which she used to her advantage.
“Siyempre years ko rin silang nakasama so nakikita ko rin kung ano ‘yung strength nila,” Santos told One Sports. “Nakikita ko rin naman ‘yung mga lapses kasi wala namang perfect eh, so siguro, inaaral ko lang nang inaaral pero nag-focus pa rin ako sa situation."
“Since bilog ‘yung bola, hindi natin alam kahit na ‘yung pinag-aralan kung same pa rin mangyayari.”
Erika Santos with her her former teammates in PLDT after Cignal's victory in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference. | Photo: PVL
Overcoming a slow start
It wasn’t the start that the 27-year-old winger had in mind after stellar campaigns in the PVL on Tour and Invitational.
Still, Santos kept on working and staying patient with her game, which ultimately led to her best game in the conference so far.
“Siguro, nag-stay lang ako sa kung ano ‘yung laro ko, kung ano ‘yung gusto ko laruin,” she said. “Nag-reflect lang ako from the past, tinignan ko kung paano ‘yung laro ko. Kasi hindi ko na-anticipate na hindi siya magiging madali ngayon, lalo na import ‘yung katapat ko.”
Rising above the pressure
As the PVL on Tour MVP, Santos admitted there was added pressure to perform. But instead of letting it weigh her down, she’s using it as motivation.
“Pressure, I would say, somehow kasi parang madaming nakatingin,” she admitted. “Nakakausap ko kasi ‘yung mga coaches at teammates na sa akin daw naka-focus kasi parang sa past conference nga, kung sino ‘yung nasa taas, ‘yun ‘yung paghahandaan. So siguro, ‘yung pressure nandun, pero nasa akin kung paano ko ilalagay.”
Santos and Cignal are hoping to build momentum and climb the standings as they face the Nxled Chameleons at the Ynares Center Montalban on Saturday, October 25.
—
Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.