It's only Cignal's second PVL finals, but the HD Spikers have plenty of championship experience under their belt. Will it boost the Awesome Nation's chances of securing their first-ever title in the league?
For a team that will make just its second-ever PVL finals appearance, the Cignal HD Spikers are loaded with championship experience.
Back in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga (PSL), former F2 Logistics Cargo Movers import MJ Perez and star libero Dawn Catindig went up against the Petron Blaze Spikers with now-teammates Ces Molina, Riri Meneses, and head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
With both teams bringing home championships during their respective PSL runs, the HD Spikers now look to bring home their first-ever PVL crown in the 2024 Invitational Conference.
Standing in their way are the grand slam-seeking Creamline Cool Smashers, who have had Cignal’s number in the past four matchups, including a five-set thriller in the recently-concluded Reinforced Conference.
Perez, who fired 36 points in the HD Spikers’ semis victory over the Kurashiki Ablaze, is ready to give it her all once more against the Cool Smashers.
“It's a huge opportunity. We have a second chance to face Creamline and we are very excited for tomorrow of course. It has been hard, but we are here and we worked hard to be here, so we will fight for it,” Perez said during the post-game press conference.
Facing a Creamline team loaded with championship poise and experience, Perez is also looking to do the same alongside Catindig.
“Playing next to Dawn, I feel so confident when I'm with her in the court. Back when we won the championship, it was a great experience. Of course, now we combine all the powers. I'm very excited for this opportunity to play a final again,” Perez explained.
The superstar libero is also looking to do the same, especially with the championship experience of coach Shaq, who has brought home four PSL titles.
“Ako siguro, 'yung championship experience namin ni MJ and ni coach Shaq, dadalhin namin yun bukas para mai-share sa team and maangat pa 'yung team para talagang tuloy-tuloy kami hanggang dulo,” Catindig bared.
[ALSO READ: ‘Miss Everywhere’ Dawn Cantindig ready to give everything as Cignal now targets first-ever PVL title]
And while it won’t be a full day of rest for the HD Spikers, Delos Santos is banking on the confidence his team received after dethroning the Ablaze, hoping to do the same against the winningest team in the PVL.
“Siyempre, sobrang laking impact nito sa amin, especially 'yung lagi naming goal every conference and siyempre imagine na pumasok kami ng finals ngayon and Japan pa 'yung natalo namin,” said Delos Santos.
“For us, napakalaking impact nito and 'yung confidence din namin na talagang mas tumaas. Kasi talagang nasa proseso talaga kami. Laging more on process talaga, tsina-tiyaga namin through ups and downs, talagang tuloy-tuloy pa rin. So, eto na, for us talaga ga-grab namin ito talaga and we're so excited na maglaro,” he added.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Ces Molina, Shaq Delos Santos promise to keep grinding as Cignal continues quest for first franchise title]
Cignal and Creamline will joust for the Invitational Conference title at 6:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
[NEXT: Creamline vs. Cignal is the fitting last game to end 2024 PVL season]
The match will air on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.