Dawn Macandili-Catindig.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Liberos Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Jheck Dionela are delighted to join forces in taking care of the Cignal HD Spikers’ floor in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season, which opens with the All-Filipino Conference on February 20.
Catindig, who took her act to Cignal after F2 Logistics’ disbandment, felt at home with her new teammates, especially her fellow libero Dionela.
“Ate Jheck really welcomed me with open arms and of course, as a senior she gives me guidance. I’m still learning the ins and outs of the team that’s why she guides me during training,” Catindig told reporters in Filipino recently at Gameville Mandaluyong.
“Looking forward to this season with new teammates, new coaches and I’m just super excited. Cignal is also very flexible and not much has changed because I’ve trained under coach Shaq (Delos Santos) before with the national team so I kind of know his system already. So I’m very comfortable in training,” she added.
Dionela, who has been facing Catindig for the past two PVL seasons, is grateful to have the decorated defensive specialist on her side, bolstering the HD Spikers’ hopes of finally winning the title. Cignal last reached the Finals in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
“I believe that defense wins games. For me, we need to have strong defense at the net and on the floor. Dawn is of big help to us, she’s the best libero,” Dionela said in Filipino.
The former University of Perpetual Help star, who is the longest-tenured volleyball player having been an HD Spiker for the past 10 years, said the ex-La Salle stalwart’s addition inspires and challenges her to improve her game, which will solidify their floor defense.
“Whenever I faced Dawn before, I always thought to myself that if Dawn can do it, so can I. I have to share the same mindset as her. She’s one of my inspirations throughout my career that’s why I’m thankful that we’re now teammates and I won’t have a hard time competing against her anymore. But here at Cignal, it’s a healthy competition between us,” Dionela said.
Catindig may be Cignal’s biggest addition but it won’t stop the 33-year-old Dionela from getting better.
“I won’t allow myself to be left behind. When I see Dawn doing extra work, it also motivates me to do the same. Challenge accepted for me. I also want to contribute as much as I can to the team so that whenever they need me, I’m just here as Dawn’s backup. I support her and we support each other,” she added.
For Catindig, expect her to take her game to the next level as she is eager to make an immediate impact for Cignal, which had two bronze medals last season, becoming the team with the most third-place finishes with seven.
“I expect a lot from myself. I have like a timeline. I’m pressuring myself to really be the best version of myself so I’m starting the year right with a new team. Hopefully, we can achieve our goal,” the Philippine women’s volleyball team mainstay said. “As with my experience with championships, I can share the strategies with them and all the learnings from my previous teams including college. I’m also very open to learning from them.”