PVL: Returning Catindig, Gandler boost Cignal title hopes

Cignal libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig (16) returns to her mother club in the PVL after her stint with Alas Pilipinas.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Dawn Macandili-Catindig, armed with her Alas Pilipinas experience, is eager to help Cignal in its crucial match against defending champion Kurashiki Ablaze for the remaining final berth in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference on Wednesday at Philsports Arena.

Catindig’s PVL return after a stint with the national team was spoiled as Cignal absorbed its first defeat of the tournament at the hands of Creamline, 25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20, on Monday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.

“With the result, still very happy pa rin ako to be back. Proud pa rin ako sa teammates ko kasi they did their best. Although yun nga, ang dami pa rin naming lapses,” said the star libero, who returned with 27 digs. “May chance pa rin naman kami to be in the finals. We just have to focus on this next game kung paano kami makakabawi.”

Dawn Macandili-Catindig on her #PVL2024 return. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/1p3htfvEH8

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 9, 2024

The national team veteran, who received the go signal to play in the PVL along with her teammate Vanie Gandler as well as Creamline’s Jema Galanza, will be facing the Japan V.League club in a virtual knockout game on Wednesday for the right to face the Cool Smashers, who ruled the Reinforced Conference last week. 

Catindig and Gandler will be sharing their experience from facing Saga Hisamitsu Springs in a pair of friendlies last weekend and including their two-week Japan training camp before winning back-to-back bronze medals in the SEA V.League.

READ: PVL: Catindig, Gandler in uniform for Cignal clash vs Creamline

“Mas magiging proactive kami ni Vanie kasi we have experiences coming against Japanese teams, not only yung sa Hisamitsu but also when we were training in Himeji,” said the Alas captain. “In a way, they have these certain techniques na alam naming ganun na very standard yun sa Japan and ma-she-share namin yun sa team coming into this game.”

“Nadadala ko yung experiences ko sa national team here also in terms of leadership din kasi puro bata yung kasama ko sa national team. It’s still a learning process every time kasi siyempre, in every game, ang daming adjustments na kailangan. And every next game, kailangan mong pag-aralan nang pag-aralan yung magiging kalaban,” she added.

Dawn Macandili-Catindig on facing Kurashiki. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/nUtnOEeVMu

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 9, 2024

The former PVL Best Libero may have missed the whole Reinforced Conference — where the HD Spikers were a point away from advancing to the final before the Cool Smashers completed a comeback —  and their first two games in the Invitationals due to her Alas duties. 

But she’s eager to leave everything on the floor in the final two days of the tournament to revive Cignal’s title hopes.

Catindig is just grateful that she still has a chance to play with Best Foreign Guest Player and former F2 Logistics teammate MJ Perez, who will be playing her last two games in Manila this season.

READ: Creamline one win away from Grand Slam, third straight PVL crown

“Sobrang happy ako kasi sobrang na-miss ko siya kasama. I share the same passion and yung sobrang gigil sa paglalaro. Sobrang happy ako na nakasama ko siya sa court,” she said.

The Cignal ace also expressed her gratitude to liberos Judith Abil and Jheck Dionela for holding the team’s fort when she was still with Alas.

“Sobrang thankful ako siyempre kasi very torn ako kasi I’m not here for the team and I have to fulfill my duties with the national team. Talagang thankful ako sa kanila kasi nagtutulungan sila na makatulong sa team at talagang binibigay nila yung best nila,” Catindig said.