Cignal and UST head coach Shaq delos Santos. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Volleyball coach Shaq delos Santos, who handles the Cignal Super Spikers and the UST Golden Tigresses, is one triumphant mentor as he wins twice on Saturday.
Delos Santos first emerged victorious in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament as the España-based squad swept the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20, and his crew in the PVL followed it up with a 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 over Capital1 in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference.
READ: PVL: Cignal blasts Capital1 to secure spot in qualifying round
He had to travel from the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay to Filoil Centre in San Juan just to catch his PVL game, and steer the Super Spikers to a qualifying round berth—an assured Top 4 finish in the professional league's preliminary round..
"Sobrang special ng day na ‘to. Ngayong Saturday, hindi ko alam kung ano pwedeng mangyari, ang good thing kasi ‘yung preparation talaga, 'yung skill. Itong Cignal, happy ako sa naging response nila doon sa preparation namin, naging maganda ‘yung result. Sobra… sobrang, okay."
Delos Santos shared how he balances the two coaching jobs he has, noting that Cignal and UST have two different styles.
"Natutulog muna ako nang maayos. To be honest, mahirap talaga eh. Magkaiba sila ng style, magkaiba sila ng diskarte or what, kung paano sila nagre-react doon sa mga game plans."
He also acknowledged the challenges of supervising two teams—but his passion for the sport trumps those.
"Hindi talaga siya madali, especially, UAAP and PVL. Gusto ko 'yung ginagawa ko, love na love ko 'yung volleyball. Happy ako na mayroon akong dalawang team na ganoon. At sa management talaga na tinutulungan ka talaga sa gusto mong mangyari."
Dawn Catindig and Vanie Gandler, key figures in the Cignal roster, shared how grateful they were to be supervised by Delos Santos.
For the Alas Pilipinas libero, she feels the trust he bestowed in her.
"Sa amin, siguro, nafi-feel talaga namin na napakalaki 'yung tiwala niya sa 'min, kaya lagi niya kaming pinu-push. So 'yun, masarap sa feeling pag pinagkakatiwalaan ka ng coach. And 'yun, binibigay namin 'yung best namin kasi alam ni coach kung ano 'yung potential ng team," said Catindig.
READ: UAAP: Golden Tigresses sweep Lady Tamaraws to end first round in strong fashion
Gandler sees through the dedication of the UST tactician, finding the reason to help him win in his volleyball matches.
"We see the dedication naman of our coaches na they have to go to our practice. They're never late. They're always there. Then they have to go to UST. So, we also do our best to try to help him," sand Gandler, referring to Delos Santos. "And calm him in practice para happy lang si coach."
Delos Santos' Cignal is peaking on the right time, having won six in eight matches, while UST is at 4-3, tied with FEU in the UAAP women's volleyball rankings.