Cignal reloads with Tiamzon, Guino-o, Arce for PVL comeback bid

Among the biggest surprises in the off-season is the return of 27-year-old Tin Tiamzon, who last played in 2022 before announcing her retirement and relocating to Vancouver, Canada. Now, she is back in pro volleyball—signing with Cignal for what she sees as a second chance.

“Actually, playing in the PVL again was not in my bingo card for 2025,” Tiamzon told One Sports. “I did not know that I would still be given a chance to play pro again, but it has been given to me, so I took it. I realized that I won't be as young as I am right now. I feel like when I last left the league, I haven't really reached my full potential.”

“At this age, I think that I still have a chance to do so and I don't want to look back at my volleyball career and be filled with questions of 'what ifs'.” 

The move was sparked during a trip home in January, when former teammate and F2 Logistics libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig approached her about a possible return.

“It started when I was approached by Ate Dawn,” said Tiamzon. “From there, I have been in communication with coach Shaq and coach Yani [Fernandez]. They were willing to take me on, despite being away from professional volleyball for two years. I am very grateful that they have full trust in me as I do in them.”

“I have always seen Cignal as a very competitive team, and I think at this point as well, they are somewhat rebuilding, which is aligned to me starting anew with my career,” she added.

Tiamzon joins an outside hitter rotation that includes Vanie Gandler, Ishie Lalongisip, and Judith Abil.

Adding further depth and chemistry to the squad are Heather Guino-o and Ethan Arce, both of whom previously played under coach Delos Santos in the collegiate ranks.

“Team Awesome is thrilled to welcome Heather Guino-o, a reliable scorer and steady presence on the wing, as she’s ready to make a significant impact with the Cignal HD Spikers in the next conference,” Cignal posted on social media.

Guino-o, who turns 28 this year, comes from a two-season stint with Capital1 and previously suited up for six other PVL clubs, including Pocari, Tacloban, Creamline, Perlas Spikers, PLDT, and Petro Gazz.

She reunites with fellow former Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws Gel Cayuna and Buding Duremdes in her latest stop. 

Meanwhile, Arce, a product of the University of the Philippines, transferred from Petro Gazz, where she struggled to find playing time in a deep middle blocker lineup. She now links up with Cignal’s frontliners Rose Doria-Aquino and Jackie Acuña.

“Ethan Arce brings her strength, grit, and passion to the Cignal HD Spikers as we set our sights even higher next conference,” the team said in another post.

Both players are expected to step into bigger roles as the team adjusts to the departure of longtime leaders Ces Molina and Riri Meneses.

The trio’s arrival comes as Cignal aims to bounce back from a frustrating All-Filipino Conference, where the team finished third in the eliminations (8-3) but missed the quarterfinals after losses to Galeries Tower and ZUS Coffee.