The Cignal Super Spikers aim a series-tying win come Game 2, Thursday. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos acknowledged Tuesday that his troops were hit with Finals jitters as they absorbed an overwhelming defeat at the hands of Creamline in Game 1.
The Super Spikers were drubbed in dominant fashion, 22-25, 18-25, 16-25, dropping to 0-1 in the best-of-three title stage of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
"Kausap ko 'yung team, I think 'yung pag-handle namin sa pressure mismo sa sarili namin, and siyempre bukod sa ang ganda ng performance ng Creamline, which is 'yun talaga ang normal na laro nila," said the seasoned tactician.
READ: 'It's a best-of-3 for a reason,' says Gandler as Super Spikers move on from Game 1 loss
"Ang medyo 'di okay, 'di namin nailabas kung anong meron talaga kami -– performance-wise and siguro 'yung pag-handle ng every situation. Siguro mas naging excited na na-pressure dahil first time championship [series] and grabe rin yung crowd," said Delos Santos, referring to their entry to their first All-Filipino Finals.
"Actually, ang sarap maglaro kanina but 'yun nga, kinapos, kinulang so accept lang 'yun."
There's nowhere to go but forward, at least for the Super Spikers, as they aim a series-tying win come Game 2, Thursday.
"May Game 2 pa naman, and sabi ko lang 'di naman natatapos ang championship sa Game 1. I think 'yung opportunity pa rin namin na makabawi and mag-reset and makapag-perform ulit nang maganda for our next game eh i-push namin, ilaban hanggang dulo."
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