PVL: Cignal Boosts Firepower After Signing Erika Santos

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Cignal HD Spikers’ search for more offensive punch was finally answered after acquiring opposite spiker Erika Santos from the PLDT High-Speed Hitters, confirmed on May 16, 2025.

Now locked and loaded for the upcoming conference of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), the HD Spikers added another gem in their continuing off-season overhaul. Santos joined Tine Tiamzon and Ethan Arce as the newest pool of Cignal members.

Santos became a free agent after the PVL All-Filipino Conference came to a close, paving the way for her inclusion in the official lineup of the HD Spikers.

“Siguro gusto kong mag grow pa. Bagong environment, since yung mantra ko kasi sa life is seek discomfort. Hindi naman sa wala na akong growth sa PLDT, it’s just parang gusto ko pa ng more,” Santos said during her welcome press conference with Cignal.

Since turning professional in 2022, Santos quickly rose in the ranks of the most efficient opposite spikers in the PVL and has earned her place as a key contributor to the High-Speed Hitters’ consecutive playoff campaigns.

Santos blended well with the play style of her former teammates in PLDT, specifically with Savannah Davison, Mika Reyes, Kim Dy, Majoy Baron, and their main setter, Kim Fajardo.

In her final playing season with the High-Speed Hitters, the former De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spiker amassed a total of 161 points and was ranked as the 17th best scorer in the PVL.

The efficient attacker will look to form a new offensive lineup with Alas Pilipinas spiker Vanie Gandler and rookie stalwart Ishie Lalongisip once the upcoming PVL conference kicks off.

“Kahit na red uniform pa rin, it’s a new chapter in my career now, so I’m looking forward to it and helping this team reach the heights they really want, which is the PVL championship,” Santos continued.

Santos will look to help the HD Spikers bounce back from a disappointing outing in the PVL AFC when they surprisingly missed a ticket to the playoffs.

After a roller coaster regular season, Cignal failed to escape the tough challenges of the young teams during the PVL Play-In Stage and was officially eliminated when ZUS Coffee advanced to the quarterfinals.

With the addition of a veteran like Santos, head coach Shaq delos Santos and the rest of the Cignal coaching staff are excited to begin their off-season training camp, with the ultimate goal of winning the elusive PVL championship title.