Cignal HD Spikers import MJ Perez within the PVL Bolstered Convention. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines — From being rivals of their earlier Finals duels, Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos is grateful to have MJ Perez on his facet 5 years after the Venezuelan’s final stint in Manila.
Perez, a former import of F2 Logistics, was a thorn in Delos Santos’ facet in Petron within the 2017 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix. Their rivalry continued for the subsequent two years within the defunct league however the veteran coach earned back-to-back championships to get again on the import and her ex-club.
Now Perez is main Delos Santos and the HD Spikers’ marketing campaign to return to the PVL Bolstered Convention finals kicked off by an enormous 25-18, 25-21, 25-16 win over Choco Mucho on Thursday at Philsports Enviornment.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Convention 2024
The Cignal coach felt relieved that the veteran spiker will now not hang-out his staff as they’re now on the identical web page, in search of to ship an elusive PVL title to Cignal.
“I’ve all the time identified how powerful she is to play towards. We’re so fortunate and actually recognize that she accepted our supply to play for Cignal. We all know she may have a huge effect and be an amazing assist to us,” stated Delos Santos after their first Pool B win. ”
Hopefully, we will maximize her strengths and in addition maximize the native gamers so every thing balances out.”
Perez delivered 22 factors and eight glorious receptions on her PVL debut, relishing her comeback in Manila and her first team-up with Delos Santos and staff captain Molina.
“I’m very completely satisfied as a result of this was actually a staff effort. It’s cool to be again within the Philippines and really feel all of the environment and all of the followers supporting. It’s so good to be again,” she stated.
READ: PVL: Cignal dominates Choco Mucho of their Bolstered opener
As Cignal seeks to rise from lacking the Last 4 within the All-Filipino Convention and shedding to the Bolstered finals two years in the past, Perez provides her expertise and management to the staff, which can miss Jovelyn Gonzaga and Alas Pilipinas gamers Vanie Gandler and Daybreak Macandili-Catindig.
“It’s very good to be in a brand new staff with new and younger gamers. I really feel completely satisfied as a result of I will help them with my expertise. After all, I’ve good pals within the different groups, my former teammates, nevertheless it’s very nice to come back to a staff who appreciates my work,” Perez stated. “I do know there’s extra to come back as a result of that is only the start and we’ll preserve working for it.”
Perez additionally lauded the setting abilities of playmaker Gel Cayuna, who had 15 glorious units and 7 factors of their first pairing as setter-spiker.
“Now we have been working so much, particularly with our connection between setter and me. She’s very open. She’s very versatile. It’s good that we now have communication on a regular basis so we will get this confidence within the sport,” she stated.
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Cignal weapons for win No.2 in Pool B towards ZUS Espresso on Tuesday subsequent week.