By: Ernest Tuazon
Three games in, three games won for Cignal to remain at the top of Pool B of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Despite the HD Spikers’ strong start, MJ Perez believes the team still has a long way to go before reaching their full potential in hopes of claiming their first-ever Reinforced title.
“We are happy, but still it’s not enough. We feel like we have not reached our peak and we need to push more, especially in these kinds of games,” the Venezuelan import said after dropping 23 points on 20 attacks, two aces, and a block, along with 15 excellent receptions and 12 digs to lead Cignal past Capital1 on Saturday, July 27.
The 36-year-old spiker emphasized the need for the HD Spikers to start each set on a strong note, especially after blowing a 21-17 third set lead to the Solar Spikers.
Cignal rebounded from a tough third set defeat, comfortably defeating Capital1 by 12 points to complete their four-set win and maintain their undefeated record, 25-13.
“We know that we have to push more… Coach [Shaq] told us that we have to start strong in the fourth set. That’s our mindset, to be able to forget the previous set and start the next one with our own game,” the former F2 Logistics import shared.
Perez acknowledged that the road towards the HD Spikers’ hunt for an elusive Reinforced title will only get harder from here on out, citing the need to take their upcoming contests slowly but surely.
“It’s not going to be easy and actually it’s getting harder. We have to just keep working because we have our goal,” she added.
“We have to take it game by game, while always remembering our goal.”