PLDT Coach Rald Ricafort proud of Erika Santos’ rise with Cignal

They may now stand on opposite sides of the net, but PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort has nothing but pride and support for former High Speed Hitter Erika Santos, who has blossomed into one of the Premier Volleyball League’s rising stars with her new squad, the Cignal HD Spikers.

The two reunited on the court for the first time since Santos transferred in May, when PLDT took on Cignal in the ongoing 2025 PVL Invitational Conference. Though Santos is now wearing different colors, Ricafort continues to see the player he once mentored and believed in.

“Coming from short collegiate career niya, pagpasok ko ng PLDT, prinoject ko ‘yan si Erika [Santos] na maabot ‘yung role niya, kaso nasa Cignal na siya,” Ricafort said, recalling how he had high hopes for the former De La Salle University standout when he took the PLDT reins in 2023.

Santos, who moved into the pro scene in 2022, began developing under Ricafort’s system in PLDT but eventually found her breakout moment elsewhere. 

Now a key contributor for Cignal, she capped her impressive run in the PVL on Tour by bagging the Most Valuable Player award—an achievement Ricafort said he had been waiting to see for a long time.

NO BUFFERING 📲

The Cignal HD Spikers get the job done with a strong finishing kick, led by preseason MVP Erika Santos and spark plug Heather Guino-o, to seal the win over the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2025 PVL Invitational!#PVL2025 #TheHeartofVolleyball #PVLInvitational pic.twitter.com/eyq43K4cj5

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) August 21, 2025

“Pero ‘yung ganiyang potential niya, inantay namin ‘yan nang matagal. Pero regardless kung nasa amin siya o wala, very happy kami na naabot niya ‘yung award nung last time,” he said.

The match on Saturday was more than just a typical league game—it marked a reunion of sorts between mentor and former ward. Ricafort emphasized there’s no lingering bitterness from the separation, only mutual respect and continued encouragement.

“At least, kahit papano, tuwing magkikita, alam na walang bad blood. Very happy kami sa kanya, very supportive. Sadyang kapag ganito, kapag nakakatapat lang nakakatuwa kasi parang nasa training lang ulit,” the PLDT coach added.

Santos was one of the most promising young players under Ricafort’s watch, and her development—even if it fully flourished outside the PLDT program—is something he takes quiet pride in.

 The coach’s remarks highlight a bigger picture: sometimes, success stories take different paths, and the greatest validation for a coach is seeing a player grow—even beyond their own system.

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