The Cignal HD Spikers regained the solo second spot in the PVL Reinforced Conference behind the spiker-setter connection of MJ Perez and Gel Cayuna.
MJ Perez and Gel Cayuna delivered big time for Cignal as the Venezuelan spiker and the local setter's growing connection continues to work wonders for the squad.
Perez fired 34 points anchored on 31 attacks while Cayuna tossed in 31 excellent sets on top of eight points, with the duo coming up big in the clutch to shove the HD Spikers past the gritty Highrisers, 23-25, 25-22, 26-28, 25-14, 15-11, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, August 15.
Cayuna set up Perez's backrow attack to give Cignal three match points at 14-11 to halt a 4-1 counter by Galeries Tower, then the playmaker closed it out with an ace.
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The victory, Cignal's sixth against a solitary loss, put it back to solo second behind unbeaten leader Akari (7-0) as it also bumped off PLDT to third (5-1).
“Patagal nang patagal, nakukuha na namin ‘yung gusto niyang set. Talagang inaaral namin ‘yung combination plays kasi hindi naman puwedeng puro basic lang siya,” Cayuna said during the post-game press conference.
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“So far, okay naman and looking forward pa ako sa mga matutunan ko and mga advice ni Amiga (Perez's nickname)," she added.
Perez affirmed Cayuna's statement, saying that their connection is "getting better everytime." The key, she said, was their willingness to adjust as well as having proper communication.
“It’s getting better every time. We have a lot of communication during practice and especially during the game,” said Perez.
“I think our key is sometimes if the ball is not perfect, I try to adjust. And [it's] the same for her: she’s trying her best to give me the best ball so we are working together, and a lot of communication,” she added.
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Against the Highrisers who showed off their solid floor defense, Perez said the HD Spikers needed to make their attacks unpredictable to secure the victory.
“We try to do many combinations so that the attack is not so predictable,” said Perez.
“Of course, it’s frustrating when they’re defending all the time, but we make the adjustments to score as much points as we can,” she added.
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Cignal tangles with its last foe in the preliminary rounds, Nxled, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the FilOil Ecoil Centre in San Juan.
Game time is at 3 p.m.