Cignal HD Spikers import MJ Perez against Choco Mucho defenders in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines–Cignal blanked Choco Mucho 25-18, 25-21, 25-16 in their PVL Reinforced Conference opening game on Thursday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Venezuelan import MJ Perez had a clear connection with HD Spikers playmaker Gel Cayuna, who had 15 excellent sets and seven points, to finish with 22 points in the one-hour and 36-minute encounter.
“The past days we have been working a lot especially in our connection and [Cayuna is] very open, very flexible so it’s good that we have communication all the time so we can get confidence in the game,” Perez said.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference
“It is evident in our faces how happy we are. I think we showed all our effort we did in training and our hard work,” coach Shaq delos Santos said in Filipino. “Most of the time our performance is really up and down but I am so proud of our team because they were all out in the game and they elevated the level of our play.”
Not only did the HD Spikers have a solid offensive showing, a 42-36 advantage in attacks, they also had defensive boost with free agent signing Judith Abil finishing with 15 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions in her debut.
Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos, MJ Perez, and Judith Abil after beating Choco Mucho. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/hIGaly3HjB
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 18, 2024
Abil was more known to be a hitter but with Cignal lacking a libero with Dawn Macandili-Catindig lending her services to Alas Pilipinas, the HD Spikers needed to fill in that hole.
“It’s not above us that Judith’s beauty really brought her here,” Delos Santos joked. “But kidding aside she realy had a good performance in practice but I noticed more her floor defense and her receive and service which were aspects that we needed to improve on.”
READ: PVL: Judith Abil shines as libero for Cignal in return to the pros
Cignal utilized a 4-0 run to push its lead to a lofty 10 points before Choco Mucho, which felt the absence of main gunner Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, gained some momentum to decrease the lead to 23-15.
“We are so lucky to get [Perez] because I know how hard it is to play with her as an opponent and we appreciate that she accepted our offer to play with us and we know that she will have a big impact and help to us so hopefully we get to maximize her strength as well as the local players,” Delos Santos said.
The Flying Titans’ Greek reinforcement of Zoi Faki had an underwhelming PVL debut with 13 points and a costly loss even with newly acquired Dindin Santiago-Manabat’s eight points.
Choco Mucho earned two consecutive points before free agent middle blocker Lut Malaluan committed a service error that landed on the net to seal the result.
“It’s very nice to be in a new team with new young players and I feel happy because I can help them with my experience … it’s really nice to come to a team who really appreciate my work and I know there’s more to come because this is just the beginning and we have to keep working for it,” Perez said as Cignal faces ZUS Coffee next.