Cignal HD Spikers’ Gel Cayuna. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Gel Cayuna opted to run it back with the Cignal HD Spikers within the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season despite getting “so many tempting offers” from other squads.
VP Global Management, Cayuna’s camp, bared on Friday that the reigning PVL Best Setter renewed her partnership with the HD Spikers for 2024.
The talent management agency admitted that the Far Eastern University product, who a pair of Best Setter awards within the 2023 season, received offers from other teams, which VP didn’t disclose. But Cayuna took her time to make your mind up after her contract expired last December.
Cayuna selected to stick with Cignal, considering aspects “like coaching, system, team composition and culture” and remaining desperate to help her team return to the finals after falling short within the second All-Filipino Conference semifinals when Choco Mucho pulled off a series comeback in a do-or-die Game 3.
“Siguro OK na yung nag-popodium kami, established na siguro kami dun since naka-ilan na din. Next mission is to essentially get into the finals kung papalarin ulit lalo na mas competitive na ang mga dadating pa ng season. Pero all in all, gusto ko talaga ipagpatuloy yung nasimulan namin as a team kasi kinakapos kami noon, siguro more pa talaga and hopefully moving forward, mag-work na,” said Cayuna as Cignal became the team with most bronze medals within the league after earning its fourth third place finish last December.
The 25-year-old Cayuna, who has three best setter awards making her the subsequent most decorated behind eight-time winner Jia De Guzman, is elated to return with the HD Spikers, who signed star libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig and young opposite spiker Jovelyn Fernandez.
“Super excited ako to play with Dawn. I mean ever since, blessed naman kami ng mahuhusay na libero with sila Ate Jheck [Dionela] pero syempre mas advantage yung may Macandili pa,” she said. “Isa pa si Jov Fernandez, siyempre hindi man kami nag abot sa FEU e meron pa din yang FEU connection dahil siguro ganun naman kalalim ang culture ng volleyball sa FEU so excited ako na makasama siya.”
Cayuna was joyful together with her decision, thanking VP Global Management for helping and guiding her during her busy holidays.
“Sobrang na-appreciate ko yung VP dahil talagang inaasikaso nila lahat. Kahit maghoholiday, may kanya kanyang ganap, madaming forwards and backwards, napaka-tyaga nila asikasuhin lahat and na-feel ko talaga na they fight to get what I deserve. Sobrang grateful at joyful ako sa kinalabasan ng lahat for the direction of my profession,” she said.
Cignal let go of Jerrili Malabanan, Bia General, and Angela Nunag but kept its core players bannered by Cayuna, Invitational Conference MVP Ces Molina, Vanie Gandler, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and middle blockers Ria Meneses and Rose Doria.
