Cignal's Erika Santos in action against ZUS Coffee in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference. PVL Media
MANILA -- With ZUS Coffee emerging as one of the strongest teams in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, most opponents have struggled to slow down the Thunderbelles' momentum.
But the surging Cignal Super Spikers showed they are no longer the same team from opening week.
At the center of their turnaround was Erika Santos, who powered Cignal to a stunning sweep of previously unbeaten ZUS Coffee, 25-12, 26-24, 25-23, on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Cignal deals Zus Coffee's first loss, improves quarterfinals bid
Santos erupted for a game-high 19 points built on 13 attacks, three blocks, and three aces, earning her the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live honor for the period of November 10 to 16.
Her standout effort not only dealt the Thunderbelles their first loss of the conference but also extended the Super Spikers' crucial second-round push.
The 26-year-old opposite hitter, now a two-time weekly awardee, credited her performance to the trust of her teammates.
"Siyempre, thankful ako kasi 'yun nga, 'yung trust na binibigay sa akin ng mga teammates ko buo. So, 'yun. Nag-stick lang kami sa game namin and thankful ako na nag-work naman," said Santos.
Santos has built a reputation for shining in matchups against ZUS Coffee after previously setting her career-high 30 points against the Thunderbelles during her MVP run in the 2025 PVL On Tour.
Still, the former De La Salle University standout downplayed the narrative, choosing to highlight Cignal's strong chemistry instead.
"Honestly, hindi naman ako tumitingin sa team," she said.
"Siguro, kung ano 'yung nilalaro ng kasama ko and kung paano kami nagje-jell, siguro 'yun 'yung focus. Pero other than that thankful kasi every time na may game against ZUS maganda naman 'yung nagiging resulta."
Her latest performance lifted Cignal to a 4-3 win-loss record, placing the Super Spikers sixth in the standings and eventually securing a quarterfinal berth amid a tight mid-table race.
Santos edged out other standout performances for the weekly honor, including Farm Fresh's Alohi Robins-Hardy and PLDT's Savi Davison.
She also got the vote over imports Farm Fresh's Eli Rousseaux, Petro Gazz's Lindsey Vander Weide, Akari's Annie Mitchem, Creamline's Courtney Schwan, and Chery Tiggo's Yunieska Batista for the weekly plum deliberated by print and online reporters covering the pioneering professional volleyball league organized by Sports Vision.
The Super Spikers now look to sustain their upswing as they face the Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Montalban.