Heather Guino-o wasted no time making her mark in a Cignal jersey.
Back on the floor under the familiar guidance of Coach Shaq Delos Santos and alongside several former Far Eastern University (FEU) teammates, Guino-o stepped into her new role with quiet confidence and delivered when it mattered most, helping lift the HD Spikers to a dominant 25-21, 25-22, 25-16 sweep of Capital1 in the 2025 PVL on Tour.
Although she sat out Cignal’s opening-day win against Akari, Guino-o came off the bench in her season debut and put up seven points, blending seamlessly into a squad that thrives on chemistry and cohesion.
Her connection with Coach Shaq — who mentored her during her collegiate years at FEU — as well as the presence of familiar faces like Gel Cayuna, Buding Duremdes, and Gyzelle Sy, made the transition into the HD Spikers’ system smooth and almost instinctive.
“Yes po [nakatulong]. Kasi lalo na po karamihan ng nasa Cignal, FEU, tapos program din ni Coach Shaq, so hindi naman po sobrang hirap mag-adjust,” Guino-o said, reflecting on the ease of settling in with her new team.
Now 27, Guino-o joins a Cignal squad known for its depth and discipline, bringing with her not only experience but also a fresh hunger after a rollercoaster stint with Capital1.
Guino-o was part of the original Solar Spikers lineup when the franchise entered the Premier Volleyball League and initially had a promising run during the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference. However, her minutes dwindled as the season wore on — a dip that ultimately led to her offseason move to Cignal.
Facing her former teammates for the first time since her transfer, Guino-o remained unfazed, approaching the matchup with her usual business-as-usual mentality.
“Hindi, wala naman po. Parang lahat ng makakalaban, mas motivated kami,” she shared, downplaying any added emotion and instead emphasizing her team’s drive to win.
But behind the calm and composed demeanor was a player with something to prove — not to her old team, but to herself and to her new squad. Guino-o understands her role within the system and has embraced the responsibility of being ready when called upon.
“Yun nga po, na mas makatulong sa team ngayon pong sinabi ni Coach Shaq na dapat po ready kami. Kung ano pong magiging kulang, kailangan pong punan,” she said.
