Cignal HD Spikers’ MJ Perez and Riri Meneses throughout the PVL Invitational Conference. They face Creamline Cool Smashers in the ultimate. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — MJ Perez and the Cignal HD Spikers have a shot at redemption against their tormentors, Creamline Cool Smashers, within the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference final on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Perez brought back Cignal to the PVL finals for the primary time in two years after dethroning Kurashiki Ablaze, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-11, on Wednesday at Philsports Arena.
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Cignal has a probability to win its breakthrough PVL title against the Grand Slam-seeking Creamline at 6 p.m.
READ: PVL: Creamline overcomes Kurashiki by staying ‘disciplined’
“In fact, we wish to win. We’re so comfortable to get this win especially now that we’ve got Dawn now. She brings huge contributions to the team,” said Perez, who set her recent PVL career-high 36 points and 21 excellent digs
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“I’m motivated because I actually desired to get this probability to play the ultimate. Our team deserves this.”
Creamline, which handed Cignal’s first lack of the conference on Monday to book a ticket to the ultimate, shattered the HD Spikers’ title hopes within the Reinforced Conference semifinal and eventually swept Akari to rule the import-laden tournament.
“It’s an enormous opportunity now that we’ve got a second probability to face Creamline. We’re excited for tomorrow, after all. It has been hard but we’re here and we worked hard to be here so we are going to fight for it,” said the Venezuelan spiker.
READ: PVL: Returning Catindig, Gandler boost Cignal title hopes
Perez hopes to win a title in her last dance for Cignal this season with F2 Logistics teammate Dawn Macandili-Catindig, whom she won a title within the Philippine Superliga, in addition to former rival coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“I feel so confident once I’m with Dawn within the court. Back in time once we won the championship (with F2 Logistics), it was an incredible experience. In fact, now, we’ll mix all of the powers,” Perez said.
Catindig, who just returned from Alas Pilipinas duty with Vanie Gandler, has the identical mindset with one final game.
“Siguro ‘yung championship experience namin ni MJ and ni coach Shaq, dadalhin namin ‘yun bukas para ma-share sa team and mai-angat pa ‘yung team para tuloy tuloy kami hanggang dulo,” the star libero said. “Dahil nga andito na kami, we’ve got a probability to fight with Cignal on this conference, talagang iga-grab na namin ‘yung opportunity. ‘Di namin bibitawan ‘to.”
