PVL: Dawn Catindig praises Jovelyn Gonzaga’s leadership for Cignal

Cignal HD Spikers’ Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Jovelyn Gonzaga in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — New Cignal libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig credited her winning debut to Jovelyn Gonzaga’s leadership and steady floor defense in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Catindig had a stellar debut as an HD Spikers with 22 excellent digs and 11 receptions, helping her team overcome a first-set defeat before dispatching the Akari Chargers, 21-25, 25-18, 25-12, 25-18, on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The veteran libero said Gonzaga helped them recover from a slow start as the latter came off the bench with three points, nine digs, and eight excellent receptions.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

“Despite the short time that I’ve been playing with the team, their guidance is always there, especially Ate Jov (Gonzaga),” Catindig said in Filipino. “It’s my first time to team up with her at Cignal but she was a big help in collating the team whenever everyone is scattered. A senior like her is a big help to our team.”

Gonzaga missed Cignal’s preseason campaign in the PNVF Champions League, where Catindig’s first stint with the team ended up with a silver medal.

Although they still have a lot to work on, the HD Spikers are now in full force with Catindig protecting the floor, Gonzaga taking care of offense with Ces Molina, Vanie Gandler, setter Gel Cayuna, and middle blockers Ria Meneses and Rose Doria.

READ: PVL: New era dawns on Cignal with Dawn Macandili-Catindig’s arrival

The former F2 Logistics star felt grateful for playing for her new family after her ex-team’s disbandment.

“I’m happy with this new team. I have a new family. I’m grateful and I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Catindig said. “I felt that our coaches really trusted us even if we had a slow start in the first set.”

Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos wants his wards to take it one game at a time and continue working hard to reduce their lapses but with Catindig on his team, he wants nothing but the biggest prize.

Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos, Vanie Gandler, and Dawn Macandili-Catindig share their thoughts after beating Akari. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/AIGdXWHt1x

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 24, 2024

“To be honest, our target is the championship, especially since we added Dawn and Jovelyn Fernandez. Dawn had a big impact as you saw her floor defense,” Delos Santos said.

The HD Spikers have a week before their next match against the Galeries Highrisers on Saturday at Philsports Arena.