Prior to her transfer to Cignal, Ces Molina was a pivotal part of Petro Gazz’s bronze finishes in the 2021 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference and the PNVF Champions League.
So, when Molina finally played against her former team on Friday afternoon, familiarity played a huge role in the match.
Fortunately, that advantage went to the HD Spikers’ way as they dispatched the Angels in just three sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, to take a 1-0 advantage in the semifinals of the 2022 PVL Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
“I think nakatulong talaga dahil alam naman din namin yung galaw nila dahil nakasama namin sila for a year and isang malaking bagay din na sobrang nag aral kami,” said Molina, who signed with Cignal prior to the season along with former Angels Ria Meneses and Jerrili Malabanan.
“Inaral namin yung galaw nila and nag-viewing din kami.”
Aside from familiarity, the coaching staff’s extra efforts prior to the match also boosted the HD Spikers in its clean Game One victory.
According to Molina, Shaq Delos Santos and his crew emulated Petro Gazz’s key players during the team’s training sessions which helped Cignal get their much-needed preparation against the Angels.
Cignal and Petro Gazz did not meet in the group phase as the former was slotted in Pool A while the latter in Pool B.
Well, it also helped that Molina played with Aiza Maizo-Pontillas for so long in Petron.
“Tinraning namin bawat galaw nila, talagang yung mga assistant coaches namin nagpapanggap sila na sila yung makakalaban namin sa training para lang talaga,” shared the 27-year-old spiker out of Nueva Ecija, who finished with 10 points, 12 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs.
“Like Aiza Maizo, kaliwete ‘to so kailangan yung isa naming coach kaliwete talaga siya para mabasa talaga namin and mapaghandaan namin yung game.”
It was a very special victory for Molina. After all, she got to share the taraflex with her former teammates once again.
Fighting for pride, the former San Beda standout is hoping that Cignal can sustain its momentum in Game Two and finish off Petro Gazz.
“Special sakin yung laro na ‘to kaya talagang sinabi ko sa team namin ngayon, sa Cignal na kailangan manalo kami this time,” the Best Outside Spikers of the PNVF Champions League said.
“Siyempre excited ako. Para sa akin special yung game na ‘to kasi that’s my former team and siyempre yung pride sa sarili na talunin yung dati kong team at manalo yung bago mong team na nilalaruan ngayon.”
Cignal — who is now on a six-game winning streak — looks to go for the jugular on Sunday at 6:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.
