Cignal standout Erika Santos reveals the PVL stars shaping her rise with the Super Spikers  

As Erika Santos continues to carve out her place as one of Cignal’s emerging stars, the rising opposite spiker made it clear that her game has been built as much on observation as it has on talent.

For a young player still finding new layers to unlock in the PVL, growth has not only come from training sessions and match reps, but also from watching the veterans she hopes to learn from and eventually stand alongside.

That is why when asked about the players whose style has influenced her the most, Santos did not point to just one kind of athlete.

Instead, she named a group that reflects the many parts of the game she is still trying to master — from composure and intelligence to competitiveness and control.

At the top of her list is Farm Fresh veteran Ara Galang, a player Santos clearly sees as the complete package when it comes to experience and feel for the game.

For Santos, Galang’s value goes beyond scoring or star power. What stands out most is the way she continues to thrive despite the years, relying on smart decisions and refined instincts that younger players are still trying to develop.

“Ate Ara kasi kahit na matagal siya naglalaro, nandun pa rin ‘yung gulang. ‘Yung skills nandiyan eh, so matalino. Sobrang idol siya.”

That choice says a lot about where Santos sees the next step in her own evolution.

Already known for her attacking punch and her ability to take over stretches offensively, Santos appears to be looking beyond physical tools now and toward the subtler qualities that help players last and lead in the professional game.

Another player who left a strong impression on her is former PLDT star Savi Davison, whose edge and intensity clearly resonated with the young Cignal hitter.

While Davison’s game is often defined by power and production, Santos singled out something deeper — the competitive fire that seems to shape every point she plays.

“Tapos top 3 si Savi. Competitive siya and gusto kong ma-adapt din kung paano siya maglaro.”

That kind of competitiveness is something Santos has already begun showing more often in her own game.

Her rise with Cignal has not just been about talent translating to the pro level, but also about learning how to assert herself more consistently in pressure moments and bigger matches.

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STATISTICS VS CREAMLINE
[5 sets] | #PVL2026

SANTOS, Erika – TOP SCORER

26 points
23 attacks
2 blocks
1 ace

37.09% attack success rate

CRAZY MATCH FOR EKANG! ♥️ pic.twitter.com/GGnKbq944Q

— Torey Canino (@tj_canino) March 26, 2026

Santos also made sure to mention someone she sees every day in training and competition — Cignal setter Gel Cayuna.

If Galang represents experience and Davison represents edge, then Cayuna represents structure, rhythm, and the ability to make an offense breathe. For a scorer like Santos, that influence matters just as much.

“Top 4, si Gel. Setting distribution and ‘yung style niya, which is okay naman ngayon.”

That answer also quietly reflects the chemistry Cignal has been building this conference. With Cayuna steering the offense and Santos becoming one of its most reliable finishers, the Super Spikers have started to look like a team whose pieces are not just talented individually, but increasingly aligned in how they want to play.

Rounding out Santos’ list is veteran middle blocker Mika Reyes, whose impact she admires not for flair, but for steadiness.

In a sport where momentum can swing quickly and emotions can shift from set to set, Santos pointed to Reyes’ calm and control as qualities worth emulating.

“Tapos last si ate Yeye. ‘Yung blockings and kung paano siya maging composed all throughout the game.”

Taken together, Santos’ choices paint a fuller picture of the player she is trying to become.

She is not only studying scorers or stars who mirror her position. She is drawing from smart veterans, fiery competitors, composed defenders, and elite playmakers — a sign that her development is rooted in becoming more complete, not just more explosive.

That makes sense for a player whose own rise has already started to gain real momentum.

Santos has quickly become one of the key names in Cignal’s climb, and her breakout performances — including the run that earned her MVP honors during the PVL on Tour — have shown that she is no longer simply a promising talent, but someone beginning to establish a real presence in the league.

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