Cignal appoints new head coach

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal formally appointed its team manager – Edgar Barroga – as its new head coach when it competes in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix starting Feb. 17.

 

A former national team player, Barroga vowed to hit the ground running as he already familiar to the strengths and weaknesses of the HD Spikers.

 

He is the third rookie mentor in the most prestigious club league in the country after Foton tapped Rommel Abella and Generika-Ayala reached an agreement with Sherwin Meneses.

 

“This is a major challenge and a big responsibility for me,” said Barroga, whose 19-year old daughter is playing for De La Salle University in the UAAP.

 

“We know that Cignal is in a rebuilding stage so we have to temper our expectations. But this team has a lot of promises. Do not be surprised if we come up with a very good fight against the elite teams of the league.”

 

Cignal is obviously far from the champion team it used to be.

 

Head coach George Pascua and assistant coach Michelle Laborte already left as well as Royse Tubino, Chie Saet and Paneng Mercado while Mylene Paat re-joined her university team and Janine Marciano and Jovelyn Gonzaga still nursing knee injuries.

 

Only Rachel Anne Daquis, Cherry Vivas and Jheck Dionela were left while Renelyn Sante, Shirley Salamagos and Janine Navarro were recruited from Sta. Lucia Realty and Acy Masangkay from Generika-Ayala.

 

Former Army mentor Rico de Guzman -- a two-time champion in the PSL -- also joined the HD Spikers as assistant coach aside from high-flying Jeane Horton of United States and Sonja Milanovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who will arrive on Friday.

 

“I see a lot of positive signs in our first two practices,” said Barroga, adding that Daquis remains their leader on and off the court.

 

“Rachel remains very vocal on the court and her leadership is very impressive. She’s my extension on the court and she’s leading her younger teammates by example.”

 

“I also like my import (Horton) a lot. She has great attitude and blends well with our locals. She’s in the process of developing good chemistry with the rest of the team.”

 

He said winning the title may be difficult but they are more than ready to live above expectations.

 

“We know that Cignal is a contender every year,” he said. “So we have to work doubly hard to live above expectations. Coaching the team is a major challenge for me. But I’m ready for it.”