Erika Santos of Cignal in action against Nxled in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference. PVL Media
MANILA -- Erika Santos rediscovered her touch on offense in time to save Cignal's campaign in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
The Super Spikers dropped their first two assignments in Pool A before coming up with a massive upset of PLDT last Tuesday -- despite playing without an import.
Santos led the way as Cignal HD turned back the erstwhile unbeaten High Speed Hitters, 25-17, 25-22, 25-21, at the Araneta Coliseum. The PVL On Tour MVP unloaded 17 points on a 17-of-36 spiking clip to end PLDT's 15-game winning streak.
Her scoring outburst was much-needed as the Super Spikers were playing with an all-Filipino crew, having parted ways with Greek reinforcement Eva Chantava.
Santos then marked her 26th birthday by firing 21 points to help Cignal overcome Nxled, 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-15, 16-14, to rise to a 2-2 win-loss record.
READ: Trebichavska has triumphant PVL debut as Cignal overcomes Nxled test
READ: Import-less Cignal halts PLDT's 15-game winning run
For her massive bounce-back performances after barely being felt in their losses, Santos was hailed as the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of October 21 to 25.
"Siguro sa akin personally, nag-stay focus lang kami saka composed. Hindi namin tinitignan kung ano yung past games. Siguro mas namomotivate kami para maging eager pa sa panalo," said the 5-foot-9 opposite spiker.
"Masyadong stiff yung bawat isa [nung first two games]. Parang nakakalimutan namin kung saan kami, kung ano yung skills ng bawat isa. Nananaig yung mga errors namin na nakafocus lang kami, hindi kami makapag-move forward. Trinabaho lang namin, nag-reflect kami kung ano man yung kailangan namin i-improve."
Santos became the first local player to win the weekly plum in the Reinforced Conference deliberated by print and online reporters covering the pioneering professional volleyball league organized by Sports Vision after Akari import Annie Mitchem bagged the recognition last week.
The former La Salle Lady Spiker, who found much success under Cignal, beat imports Anna DeBeer of ZUS Coffee, Eli Rousseaux of Farm Fresh, Marlee Smith of Choco Mucho, Yuni Bautista of Chery Tiggo, and Lindsey Vander Weide, as well as PLDT star Savi Davison, for the weekly citation.
In their five-set conquest of the Chameleons, Santos was the perfect complement to their new import, Katrin Trebichavska of Slovakia, as the latter fought off jetlag and unfamiliarity with the system to help the Super Spikers secure the win.
"Siguro samin sa teammates niya, nakakatulong siya (Trebichavska) kasi parang factor yung light na mood niya at explosive siya, so nacha-challenge din kami. Thankful kami kasi na-share niya yung experience niya samin," shared Santos.
Santos and the Super Spikers seek to finish the first round on a high note against the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
All games will be streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.pvl.ph.