MJ Perez has quickly established herself as the focal point for Cignal in the ongoing 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, leading the HD Spikers to an impressive start while also fostering strong team dynamics with her impactful play.
The 6-foot-2 outside spiker delivered 22 points on 19 attacks, two aces, and one block, along with eight receptions against the Flying Titans.
Then the 36-year-old Venezuelan erupted for 30 points on 26 spikes, three aces, and a block, adding 10 receptions against the Thunderbelles.
Despite Perez’s hot start, which is expected to continue as the tournament progresses, Cignal captain Ces Molina reminded her team to always support their reinforcement.
“I think yung one thing na kailangan namin maging mindset talaga is to help the team and to help Amiga (Perez) every game. Kasi nandito siya to help us, pero hindi ibig sabihin kailangan buhatin niya yung buong team,” said Molina, who went for 16 points against ZUS.
“Kailangan din tulungan namin siya – for example, sa skills, kailangan namin pumasa nang maganda kasi strong attacker yung import namin. So kailangan hindi kami mawawalan ng pasa every game.”
(C) PVL Images
With their acquisition of Perez, Molina sees this as a big opportunity for the HD Spikers to finally get over the hump and win the ultimate prize in the PVL.
The 2023 Invitational MVP and Perez have a lot of history, as they were fierce rivals in the defunct Philippine Superliga. Molina was representing Petron, while Perez played for F2 Logistics.
“Syempre sobrang happy kasi hindi ko na kailangan i-receive yung mga palo niya,” said Molina when asked about playing with Perez on the same side of the Taraflex.
“Very inspiring and motivating para sa team, malaking bagay na si MJ yung nakuha naming import para nga makuha na rin namin yung goal namin this conference.”
Perez led the defunct Cargo Movers to a championship in 2017 in the PSL. She also has experience playing in Puerto Rico, Finland, Cyprus, France, Indonesia, Italy, and Vietnam.
