Photo credit: PVL

After finally breaking through to the championship stage, Cignal is hitting pause.

The Cignal Super Spikers have officially taken a leave of absence from the Premier Volleyball League following their campaign in the 2025–26 All-Filipino Conference. The announcement came just days after the team wrapped up what many consider their strongest showing in recent years.

In a statement, the team confirmed the move, calling it a tough but necessary decision. According to Cignal, the leave of absence came after a careful review of the organization’s long-term direction.

The development mirrors an earlier move within the franchise, as its men’s team in Spikers’ Turf also stepped away ahead of its own Open Conference.

The timing is striking. Cignal had just reached the Finals for the first time in franchise history, powered by Conference MVP Vanie Gandler. She led a solid core that included Erika Santos, Gel Cayuna, Dawn Catindig, Rose Doria-Aquino, Jackie Acuña, and Tine Tiamzon.

But their breakthrough run ended at the hands of the Creamline Cool Smashers, who completed a sweep in the championship series.

Since joining the league in 2021, Cignal has been a consistent contender, collecting three silver medals and five bronze finishes. In 15 conferences, the team landed in the top three eight times—proof of a program that has been knocking on the door before finally reaching it this season.

For now, though, that momentum is on hold, as the Super Spikers step back to reassess what comes next.