Cignal HD Spikers’ MJ Perez and Riri Meneses during the PVL Invitational Conference. They face Creamline Cool Smashers in the final. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — MJ Perez and the Cignal HD Spikers have a shot at redemption against their tormentors, Creamline Cool Smashers, in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference final on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Perez brought back Cignal to the PVL finals for the first time in two years after dethroning Kurashiki Ablaze, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-11, on Wednesday at Philsports Arena.
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Cignal has a chance to win its breakthrough PVL title against the Grand Slam-seeking Creamline at 6 p.m.
READ: PVL: Creamline overcomes Kurashiki by staying ‘disciplined’
“Of course, we want to win. We are so happy to get this win especially now that we have Dawn now. She brings huge contributions to the team,” said Perez, who set her new PVL career-high 36 points and 21 excellent digs
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“I’m motivated because I really wanted to get this chance to play the final. Our team deserves this.”
Creamline, which handed Cignal’s first loss of the conference on Monday to book a ticket to the final, shattered the HD Spikers’ title hopes in the Reinforced Conference semifinal and eventually swept Akari to rule the import-laden tournament.
“It’s a huge opportunity now that we have a second chance to face Creamline. We are excited for tomorrow, of course. It has been hard but we are here and we worked hard to be here so we will fight for it,” said the Venezuelan spiker.
READ: PVL: Returning Catindig, Gandler boost Cignal title hopes
Perez hopes to win a title in her last dance for Cignal this season with F2 Logistics teammate Dawn Macandili-Catindig, whom she won a title in the Philippine Superliga, as well as former rival coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“I feel so confident when I’m with Dawn in the court. Back in time when we won the championship (with F2 Logistics), it was a great experience. Of course, now, we’ll combine all the powers,” Perez said.
Catindig, who just returned from Alas Pilipinas duty with Vanie Gandler, has the same mindset with one final game.
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“Siguro ‘yung championship experience namin ni MJ and ni coach Shaq, dadalhin namin ‘yun bukas para ma-share sa team and mai-angat pa ‘yung team para tuloy tuloy kami hanggang dulo,” the star libero said. “Dahil nga andito na kami, we have a chance to fight with Cignal in this conference, talagang iga-grab na namin ‘yung opportunity. ‘Di namin bibitawan ‘to.”