Erika Santos continued to cement her role as Cignal’s driving force after being named the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live. The accolade reflected the poise and reliability she has shown during a pivotal stretch of the Reinforced Conference, where the Super Spikers needed stability to stay afloat in the standings.

The opposite hitter delivered a commanding 19-point performance in Cignal’s breakthrough win that halted the unbeaten run of ZUS Coffee. Her mix of powerful attacks, timely blocks, and steady service pressure anchored the Super Spikers’ renewed confidence in the second round.

Santos said the recognition stemmed from the trust Cignal has built internally as the group regained its footing. She emphasized how collective belief allowed her to handle high-pressure moments without losing focus.

Her latest honor added to her growing reputation for thriving in big-stage encounters, including her career-best 30 points against the same opponent during the PVL On Tour. Still, she downplayed the narrative and pointed instead to the team’s improving chemistry.

Santos leads Cignal’s strong mid-conference push

With the field tightening, Santos’ all-around game served as the foundation of Cignal’s late charge. Her impact on both offense and defense helped the Super Spikers assemble a more disciplined and balanced attack, which in turn bolstered their position in the race for quarterfinal berths.

She edged out various contenders for the weekly award, including Alohi Robins-Hardy of Farm Fresh and PLDT’s Savi Davison. Several visiting reinforcements—Eli Rousseaux, Lindsey Vander Weide, Annie Mitchem, Courtney Schwan, and Yunieska Batista—were also in the running.

Weekly honor elevates Super Spikers’ confidence

Santos’ citation further validated Cignal’s upward trend as the conference entered high-stakes territory. Her steady presence guided the team through tight sets and helped restore cohesion that had wavered at the start of the season.

Her rise underscored how trust, rhythm, and improved execution have reshaped Cignal into a stronger force heading into the deciding phase of the tournament.