Cignal’s Ces Molina. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Facing her former team fueled Ces Molina to deliver the goods for Cignal to draw the first blood in the best-of-three semifinals series of the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
Molina joined hands with fellow ex-Angel Ria Meneses to haunt their former team last season as Cignal turned back Petro Gazz, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, on Friday at San Juan Arena.
“For me, it was a special game because that’s my former team. I had that pride to beat my old team and help my new team win the match,” said Molina, who posted nine points, 12 receptions and 10 digs in their Game 1 victory.
“Since it was a special game for me, I really told my teammates that we have to win this game.”
The Philippine women’s volleyball team spiker, who signed with Cignal in the offseason after not renewing with Petro Gazz, said she used her familiarity of the Angels.
“It really helped us because we (Meneses and I) know their movements and system after playing for them last year. We really studied their game, every movement. We trained with our assistant coaches, pretending they are the Petro Gazz players,” Molina said.
But more than her familiarity, Molina said the HD Spikers really came out eager to beat the Angels in front of 4, 567 volleyball fans.
“We came here to win. We all know that Petro Gazz will not go down without a fight and they are a champion team. This Game 1 win is a huge boost to our momentum heading to Game 2,” she said.
Cignal, which remained unbeaten in six games, tries to wrap up the series on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.