MJ Perez and Cignal fended off a tough ZUS Coffee side in four sets, 25-18, 29-27, 21-25, 25-22 to seize the Pool B lead momentarily in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
The Venezuelan import took over and dropped 30 points on 26 attacks, three aces, and one block to go along with 10 excellent receptions.
With her performance, the HD Spikers recorded their second consecutive win to open the tournament with a 2-0 record.
“Thirty points siya, grabe. Well, ‘yun talaga din ‘yung main reason kung bakit namin siya kinuha. Alam namin ‘yung kaya niyang gawin and I’m sure hindi siya satisfied sa laro niya, pero naka-thirty points pa rin siya,” said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
After failing to close out the game in the third, Cignal once again found themselves in a tight situation against ZUS Coffee.
Ypril Tapia scored off the block, before Riri Meneses committed an attack error which put the Thunderbelles to within one, 19-20.
(C) PVL Images
A well-time 1-2 play from Gel Cayuna, as well as crucial errors from Tapia, gave the HD Spikers a 23-20 advantage. However, Asaka Tamaru came through and pulled ZUS Coffee to within one once again, 22-23.
It was all Perez from there as she fired a cross-court hit before unloading one through the block to finish the game for Cignal after an hour and six minutes of action.
“Sobrang thankful kasi naipanalo namin ‘yung game. Alam namin na hindi pa ‘yun ‘yung galaw ng team, but ang good thing naka-survive kami. Grabe rin ‘yung kalaban namin, grabe ‘yung pinakita samin. Grabe especially ‘yung defense, ‘di namin sila mabagsakan ng bola,” said delos Santos.
Team captain Ces Molina added 16 points on 10 attacks, four aces, and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Jackie Acuna and Meneses delivered 11 points each, with the latter pitching in four blocks in the HD Spikers’ total 12 blocks.
Cayuna tossed 21 excellent sets laced with three points, while converted libero Judith Abil finished with another stellar performance of 10 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs in the win.
Cignal aims to make it three wins in a row when they take on Capital1 on Saturday, 1:00 PM.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Thunderbelles – who dropped to 0-2 in Pool B – were led by Tamaru with 23 points, 15 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs.
ZUS Coffee hit a bump early in the match with starting outside hitter Jade Gentapa suffering a knee injury in the first frame after an awkward landing from an attack attempt.
Gayle Pascual added 14 points in the loss, while Michelle Gamit had 13 markers.
ZUS Coffee will face off against Choco Mucho in hopes of securing its first win, also on Saturday at 5:00 PM.
