PVL: MJ Perez leads Cignal over ZUS Coffee for 2-0 start

Cignal’s MJ Perez during a game against ZUS Coffee in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Venezuelan MJ Perez and Cignal are heating up in the PVL Reinforced Conference after clinching a second straight win on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.

Perez delivered 30 points from 26 attacks and three aces and a block while also collecting 10 excellent receptions to power the HD Spikers past ZUS Coffee, 25-18, 29-27, 21-25, 25-22, and lift Cignal to a 2-0 start in Pool B.

“Honestly, every match I have to be motivated for my team to of course get our goals,” Perez said. “But we are happy today, we [did] our best even [though] we don’t have our best performance.”

READ: PVL: Cignal dominates Choco Mucho in their Reinforced opener

Ces Molina and MJ Perez on teaming up and leading Cignal to a 2-0 record in Pool B. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/6QUt946RUp

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 23, 2024

“Every game is a lesson so we are happy that we win today but we have to keep working,” she added.

Ces Molina helped the HD Spiker reinforcement with 16 points built on 10 kills, four aces and two blocks while Riri Meneses finished with 11 points, four coming from the 12 total blocks of Cignal.

Jackie Acuna also had 11 points as Judith Abil continues to embrace her new role with 10 excellent digs as well as receptions. Gel Cayuna allowed Cignal’s offense to click with 21 excellent sets.

“[The way we are currently playing] feels great but still I have the feeling that we can do more, that this is just the start and we have to keep working more and more harder,” Perez said.

“We are working game-by-game so we need to improve more things in the team, especially our consistency during the game. I am happy, but it’s not enough,” she continued as Cignal committed more than a set worth of errors, 27, but still came home with the win.

READ: Judith Abil shines as libero for Cignal in return to pros

The Thunderbelles slid down to its second consecutive loss even as Japanese hitter Asaka Tamaru had a much better performance with 23 points, Gayle Pascual 14 points and Mich Gamit 13.

Ypril Tapia filled in the hole left by Jade Gentapa, who hurt her left knee after an awkward landing in the first set, with nine points. Cloanne Mondonedo set up her teammates with 15 excellent sets.

“We need to continue having the mindset of helping the team and to help amiga (Perez) every game because she is here to help us but it doesn’t mean that she needs to carry the whole team,” Molina said. “We also need to help her.”

Cignal looks to keep its streak going on Saturday against Capital1 in the same Pasig City venue.