Dawn Macandili-Catindig is determined not to let the opportunity slip away as she leads the Cignal HD Spikers to the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference Finals against the Creamline Cool Smashers.
In her second game back for the Cignal HD Spikers, Dawn Macandili-Catindig showed why she’s indeed called “Miss Everywhere.”
Staying true to her monicker, Catindig finished with 27 excellent digs to help Cignal dethrone the erstwhile champions Kurashiki Ablaze to advance to the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference Finals.
Catindig, who missed out on the HD Spikers’ Reinforced Conference campaign due to Alas Pilipinas duties, admitted her eagerness to make up for lost time with her squad, who endured heartbreak during last conference’s semifinals, losing a 2-0 set lead to eventual champion Creamline.
“Siyempre very proud ako sa team and ‘yung gigil ko kanina [talagang] naipon kasi alam mo ‘yung nanonood ka ng game from the outside tas hindi ka makalaro, hindi ka maka-contribute, parang ngayon ko binubuhos lahat ‘yun. Thankfully, nag-result ng maganda,” Catindig said during the post-game press conference.
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Facing a must-win scenario against Kurashiki to reach the Finals, coach Shaq Delos Santos is grateful to have Cantidig and fellow Alas teammate Vanie Gandler back in the squad.
“Sobrang laki nung impact nila samin kasi alam namin kasi ‘yung puwede pang magawa ng team, especially pag nandiyan sila,” said Delos Santos.
“We’re so lucky na umabot din ‘yung time na makapaglaro especially sa crucial moment namin. Sobrang ganda naging perfromance and sobrang happy and i-enjoy lang namin ‘yung championship [match] tomorrow,” he added.
Cignal, which has won five bronze medals over the past two years, reached only its second PVL Finals appearance after finishing runner-up to Petro Gazz in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
But this time around, Cantidig is ready to lead the HD Spikers to championship glory against the Grand Slam-seeking Creamline Cool Smashers.
“Dahil nandito na kami, we have a chance to fight with Cignal in this conference talagang iga-grab na namin itong opportunity and hindi na namin bibitawan ito,” Catindig emphasized.
Cignal and Creamline will go head-to-head for the Invitationals crown tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao at 6:00 p.m.