Cignal is on a roll, claiming victory in all three of their games to remain at the top of Pool B in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Despite their flawless record, Venezuelan import MJ Perez believes the team still has a considerable journey ahead in their quest for their first-ever Reinforced Conference title.
“We are happy, but it’s still not enough. We feel like we haven’t reached our peak and need to push more, especially in these kinds of games,” said Perez after leading Cignal to a hard-fought win over Capital1 on July 27.
The 36-year-old spiker delivered an impressive 23 points, including 20 attacks, two aces, and a block, while also contributing 15 excellent receptions and 12 digs.
The match was not without its challenges.
Despite a strong start, Cignal faced a setback in the third set, where they squandered a 21-17 lead against the Solar Spikers.
However, the HD Spikers regrouped and closed out the match with a decisive 25-13 win in the fourth set, maintaining their undefeated streak.
“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 forget the previous set and start the next one with our own game,” Perez shared.
The resilient performance underscores Cignal’s determination to stay sharp as the competition intensifies.
Perez, reflecting on their journey, emphasized that while the team is pleased with their progress, they are aware of the challenges ahead.
“It’s not going to be easy, and actually, it’s getting harder. We have to keep working because we have our goal,” she added. “We have to take it game by game, while always remembering our goal.”
