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Erika Santos Rediscovers Her Fire; Powers Cignal To Back-To-Back Wins
Photo credit: PVL
From a slow start to a scorching comeback — Erika Santos is back in lethal form, just when Cignal needed her most in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
After two straight heartbreaks to open their campaign, the Cignal Super Spikers finally found their groove — and it was their no-reinforcement lineup that did the damage. Led by a rejuvenated Erika Santos, Cignal stunned the previously unbeaten PLDT High Speed Hitters in straight sets, 25-17, 25-22, 25-21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Santos, the PVL On Tour MVP, was unstoppable with 17 points off 36 attacks — ending PLDT’s impressive 15-game winning streak that spanned two championship runs in the preseason and Invitational conferences.
Just a few days later, on her 26th birthday, Santos celebrated in style. She exploded for 21 points in a thrilling five-set win over Nxled, outlasting Paola Martinez’s 38-point barrage, 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-15, 16-14. The victory lifted Cignal to an even 2-2 record — a fitting birthday gift for their resurgent star.
Her back-to-back standout performances earned Santos the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week honors (October 21–25), presented by Pilipinas Live — the first local player to receive the award in this year’s Reinforced Conference.
“Nag-stay focus lang kami at composed,” Santos shared after their big win. “Hindi namin tinitingnan yung past games — mas ginamit namin ‘yun para mas maging eager sa panalo.”
She admitted that the team played too tight early in the tournament:
“Parang nakakalimutan namin kung saan kami magaling. Ang dami naming errors kasi masyado kaming nakafocus sa pagkakamali. Pero trinabaho namin ‘yun, nag-reflect kami kung ano dapat i-improve.”
In their next five-set thriller against Nxled, Santos found a perfect partner in new import Katrin Trebichavska of Slovakia, who fought off jetlag to deliver in crunch time.
“Nakakatulong siya kasi light ‘yung mood niya, at explosive siya sa laro,” Santos said. “Nacha-challenge kami sa energy niya at thankful kami na na-share niya ‘yung experience niya sa amin.”
The former La Salle standout edged out a talented list of imports — including ZUS Coffee’s Anna DeBeer, Farm Fresh’s Eli Rousseaux, and Choco Mucho’s Marlee Smith — to bag the weekly citation.
Now, with momentum finally on their side, Santos and the Super Spikers aim to close the first round strong as they face the Capital1 Solar Spikers this Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After rediscovering her deadly rhythm, Erika Santos isn’t just back — she’s blazing, and she’s bringing Cignal right back into the PVL spotlight.
After two straight heartbreaks to open their campaign, the Cignal Super Spikers finally found their groove — and it was their no-reinforcement lineup that did the damage. Led by a rejuvenated Erika Santos, Cignal stunned the previously unbeaten PLDT High Speed Hitters in straight sets, 25-17, 25-22, 25-21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Santos, the PVL On Tour MVP, was unstoppable with 17 points off 36 attacks — ending PLDT’s impressive 15-game winning streak that spanned two championship runs in the preseason and Invitational conferences.
Just a few days later, on her 26th birthday, Santos celebrated in style. She exploded for 21 points in a thrilling five-set win over Nxled, outlasting Paola Martinez’s 38-point barrage, 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-15, 16-14. The victory lifted Cignal to an even 2-2 record — a fitting birthday gift for their resurgent star.
Her back-to-back standout performances earned Santos the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week honors (October 21–25), presented by Pilipinas Live — the first local player to receive the award in this year’s Reinforced Conference.
“Nag-stay focus lang kami at composed,” Santos shared after their big win. “Hindi namin tinitingnan yung past games — mas ginamit namin ‘yun para mas maging eager sa panalo.”
She admitted that the team played too tight early in the tournament:
“Parang nakakalimutan namin kung saan kami magaling. Ang dami naming errors kasi masyado kaming nakafocus sa pagkakamali. Pero trinabaho namin ‘yun, nag-reflect kami kung ano dapat i-improve.”
In their next five-set thriller against Nxled, Santos found a perfect partner in new import Katrin Trebichavska of Slovakia, who fought off jetlag to deliver in crunch time.
“Nakakatulong siya kasi light ‘yung mood niya, at explosive siya sa laro,” Santos said. “Nacha-challenge kami sa energy niya at thankful kami na na-share niya ‘yung experience niya sa amin.”
The former La Salle standout edged out a talented list of imports — including ZUS Coffee’s Anna DeBeer, Farm Fresh’s Eli Rousseaux, and Choco Mucho’s Marlee Smith — to bag the weekly citation.
Now, with momentum finally on their side, Santos and the Super Spikers aim to close the first round strong as they face the Capital1 Solar Spikers this Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After rediscovering her deadly rhythm, Erika Santos isn’t just back — she’s blazing, and she’s bringing Cignal right back into the PVL spotlight.
Oct 27, 2025
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