Cignal libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig returns to her mother club within the PVL after her stint with Alas Pilipinas.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Nonetheless the ultimate of the PVL Invitational Conference seems, it is evident that Cignal is entering a brand new era—one where the HD Spikers will repeatedly be within the championship conversation.
And at the center of that rise is Dawn Macandili-Catindig, the ever-hustling libero whose ability to read opponents’ attacks is matched only by her ability to cover the ground.
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Macandili-Catindig’s presence was felt throughout Cignal’s 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-11 victory on late Wednesday evening that knocked the crown off Kurashiki Ablaze’s head at PhilSports Arena, a lot in order that her efforts didn’t escape the eyes of MJ Perez, who had a PVL career-high 36 points and 21 excellent digs.
“In fact, we would like to win. We’re so completely happy to get this win especially now that we now have Dawn now. She brings huge contributions to the team,” said Perez.
Cignal was battling Creamline for the crown at press time.
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For Macandili-Catindig, it wasn’t difficult to summon motivation within the match against the Japanese guest club.
In any case, she had missed all of Cignal’s matches within the Reinforced Conference to meet her national team duties as skipper of Alas Pilipinas. And when she saw the possibility to contribute to her club team, she seized it.
“My aggressiveness is coming from just watching from the skin and never with the ability to play and contribute,” the defense ace said after playing just her third game since being released from national team duties.
“I just focused on staying composed,” said Macandili-Catindig. “I needed to contribute to the team.”
“Contribute” could also be an understatement.
Chasing kills and diving all around the floor, Macandili-Catindig had 27 excellent digs that went well with Cignal’s masterful blocking. The HD Spikers’ resolute defense held them together within the crucial moments, especially once they trailed within the fifth set.
That defense also helped arrange Perez, the Venezuelan import whose power fueled Cignal within the decider.
Perez delivered three crucial points within the decider, including a deceptive drop thad pushed the HD Spikers to a 12-10 lead.
Finding holes
Kurashiki turned to its own defense to blunt the Cignal attack, but Perez continued to seek out holes because the HD Spikers widened the gap to 3. Yukino Yano breathed life into the Kurashiki bid as she clipped the baseline but Perez arrange match point with one other kill.
Yano’s kill attempt sailed long, sealing the Japan club’s doom and putting Cignal ready to say a maiden crown.
The HD Spikers have only been on this position once back in 2022 once they claimed their highest honor—a silver medal after falling against Petro Gazz within the Reinforced Conference.
Around that bridesmaid finish are five bronze medals with probably the most recent one coming from the recently concluded Reinforced, where Creamline added a ninth gold to its collection.
But in ousting the Japanese squad from its Invitational throne, Cignal made it clear that this won’t be the last time it’ll be competing for a title.
