Cignal’s Dawn Catindig and Vanie Gandler during the PVL Invitational.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas players have been given the go signal to play for their respective PVL clubs in the 2024 Invitational Conference on Monday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Cignal pair Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler were already in uniform and warming up in their ongoing game against Creamline in the battle of unbeaten teams, where the Cool Smashers booked a championship ticket with a 25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20 win to hand the HD Spikers’ first loss in the tournament.
Catindig was fielded in the second set and finished 27 digs, while Gandler played sparingly in the fourth frame
Jema Galanza, though, was still in street clothes and on the reserve list for the Cool Smashers with injured players Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos.
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Alas Pilipinas players Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler are in uniform in Cignal’s match against Creamline.
The pair, though, didn’t start as they are still in the dugout. The game already started.#PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/HhNSzNzdJk
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 9, 2024
PVL president Ricky Palou said PNVF Tats Suzara has already given the clearance for the players to rejoin their respective clubs.
“All the players of Alas have been released as of today. So they can join their respective teams. Inannounce ni President Tats Suzara that they’re released as of today and they can go and join the PVL games,” said Palou, who is also the PNVF vice president and Alas Pilipinas chairman.
“He (Tats) announced it last night. Pero kanina when we met with them, inannounce niya ulit. They’re free to play with their respective clubs,” he added, referring to Alas’ courtesy call with the Philippine senate.
Creamline won the Reinforced title without Galanza, who informed Palou that she might play on Wednesday against Farm Fresh.
READ: PVL: Unbothered by fatigue, Cignal sweeps Farm Fresh
“I was telling Jema why aren’t you in uniform? Sabi niya maybe next game babalik. Kasi we were in the Senate until six o clock, siguro melalate na rin siya pumunta rito,” Palou said.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said the coaching staff and management will still talk about the plan for Galanza in their remaining two games including final on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alas recently won back-to-back bronze medals in the SEA V.League and battled Japan SV. League’s Saga Hisamitsu Springs in a pair of friendlies over the weekend, where the nationals got swept in both games.
Cignal, tied with Kurashiki with a 2-1 record, battles the defending champion in a virtual knockout game also on Wednesday for the right to face Creamline.