There was no way the MVP was letting Cignal lose its opener.
It is always a good thing to get that first win out the way.
Just ask PVL Invitational Conference MVP Ces Molina, who helped the Cignal HD Spikers beat the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20, on Sunday to notch their first win in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference.
"Hindi ako mag-lie, pero talagang naging mindset ko today, hindi kami pwede matalo sa first game namin kasi opportunity ‘to, ‘yung momentum namin magtuloy-tuloy ng panalo,” Molina explained in the postmatch interview.
Of course, one win does not make a season. But Molina knows her team all too well to let his one slip away, even if Cignal was without three of its key players—Rachel Daquis, who is attending a coaching camp in the US, Jovelyn Gonzaga, who is attending to some concerns with the military, and Angela Nunag, who is doing the same.
“Alam niyo naman, ‘yung team namin ‘pag natatalo kami parang ambilis namin ma-down,” Molina admitted. “Pero ‘pag nananalo kami, ‘yung momentum namin dere-derecho, tuloy-tuloy kami. ‘Yung momentum namin pataas.”
And, on Sunday, Molina made sure the HD Spikers won’t be getting into an early swoon with an opening-day loss. The veteran unleashed her MVP form right from the get-go, finishing with 20 points to lead the way for Cignal, who also got a big game from Vanie Gandler. The former Ateneo Blue Eagle had previously vowed to be ready for an expanded role this conference, and she delivered on that promise as a member of Cignal’s first six.
Gandler and her Cignal teammates will have to play even better the next time around, as the HD Spikers are set to face the Creamline Cool Smashers in Batangas next week.
Best believe Molina will be ready for that one, too.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)