Despite a bevy of new faces and roster shake-up during the offseason, Cignal doesn’t look like a rebuilding team.

In fact, the new look HD Spikers displayed such great cohesion and chemistry that no one would even notice they were still in an adjustment period.

Cignal convincingly swept its back-to-back assignments for a rousing start in the pre-season Premier Volleyball League (PVL) on Tour Pool B in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

The HD Spikers didn’t drop a single set in repulsing Akari, 25-23, 25-14, 25-23, and Capital1, 25-21, 25-22, 25-16, in the tournament’s first stop up north.

Although playing sans Alas Pilipinas players winger Vanie Gandler and top libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig due to national team duties, head coach Shaq Delos Santos is still enjoying a deep arsenal following an intensive recruitment spree during the break.

Tapping the services of grizzled veterans Heather Guino-o, Erika Santos, Tin Tiamzon and Ethan Arce as well as the addition of rookies Erin Pangilinan Jessa Ordiales and Pearl Denura has turned Cignal back into a legitimate contender after a disappointing All-Filipino Conference campaign marred by a crippling mid-tournament exodus.     

“Right now, we’re more flexible on how we’ll approach every game and during in-game decision-making,” Delos Santos said.

Even main playmaker Gel Cayuna is having a field day with an array of offensive weapons at her disposal.

“They’ve made a huge impact on our team. They even allowed our setters better ball distribution. And the good thing, wherever our setters throw the ball, at any angle, we have a surplus of attackers who can create points. Whatever kind of attack it may be, a strong one, a cut shot or whatever,” Delos Santos said.

Santos, who signed with the HD Spikers after her contract with sister-team PLDT expired, averaged 12.5 points in her first two games in a Cignal uniform.

“I’m happy because I have good teammates and good coaches. I learn new things each training and we collectively continue to learn as a team,” Santos said.

Guino-o on the other hand, cherished a fresh start with her new club after parting ways with the Solar Spikers.

It was a reunion for Guino-o, playing once again with her former Far Eastern University teammates Cayuna, Gyzelle Sy, and Buding Duremdes and college mentor Delos Santos.

“It’s easier to adjust, especially since most of us from Cignal came from FEU, and it’s also Coach Shaq’s program. So, it hasn’t been too hard to adapt,” Guino-o said after punishing her former team with seven points in her first game after sitting out the match against the Chargers.

Delos Santos would like to take advantage of the HD Spikers’ momentum heading into a marquee clash with also unbeaten Creamline on 1 July at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.   

“It’s a big factor for us (having a beefed-up roster) so we need to maximize it. We know we still have a lot of work to do and we’re facing tougher opponents,” he said.

“We must draw up better game plans, stay in top form and stick with our system. Hopefully, we’ll have smoother movement inside the court and be better.”