The Cignal HD Spikers continued to make waves in the offseason, officially signing opposite spiker Erika Santos for the upcoming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season, the team announced Friday, May 16.

The 5-foot-9 Santos becomes Cignal’s fourth major acquisition this offseason, joining fellow signees Tin Tiamzon, Heather Guino-o, and Ethan Arce in a revamped HD Spikers squad. Her addition underscores Cignal’s aggressive recruitment push as they aim to build a title-contending roster.

Santos turned professional in 2022 and spent four seasons with the PLDT High Speed Hitters, quickly establishing herself as a key part of their rotation. In the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, the 24-year-old ranked 17th overall in scoring with 161 points, placing sixth among all opposite spikers and matching that ranking in spiking efficiency with an impressive 32.84% success rate.

“Very thankful and grateful ako now for Coach Shaq and all of the Cignal HD Spikers management,” said Santos. “Sana madala ko yun napakita ko this past season here and I’m also looking to improve more under our coaches and trainers.”

“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,” added the former De La Salle University standout.

A Strategic Addition

Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos highlighted the importance of bringing in experience and scoring punch to complement a youthful core that includes Alas Pilipinas stalwarts Dawn Catindig, Vanie Gandler, and Ishie Lalongisip.

“We need some more experience kasi sa team naming to,” Coach Shaq said. “Sana yung mga years ni Erika with La Salle and PLDT, na-gain na nya yun mga kailangan nya na kailangan din namin sa team na ‘to ngayon, which is scoring.”

The HD Spikers are currently retooling after a middling All-Filipino campaign and are aiming to build momentum heading into the next PVL conference. With Santos on board, delos Santos is confident in her immediate impact.

“Hopefully she can make an impact agad dito sa’min and I’m planning to have her start dito sa Cignal,” he added.

The HD Spikers are expected to make further announcements as they continue to reshape the roster for a deep playoff push.