Cignal’s MJ Perez faced some familiar names as she helped the HD Spikers win another bronze in the PVL Reinforced Conference.
Well before MJ Perez played for Cignal, she was a resident import for the iconic F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga. Perez reinforced F2 from 2017 to 2019, winning the title in 2017, and finishing second in her next two appearances.
MJ went on to play in Vietnam and Egypt, while F2 disbanded in 2023 a year after joining the PVL.
Fast forward to 2024, MJ has returned to the Philippines after being tapped as the Cignal HD Spikers’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference. As fate would have it, she had a reunion with some of her F2 sisters.
Perez’s Cignal and PLDT met in the conference’s bronze medal match. Given this, MJ faced off against former setter Kim Fajardo and middle blocker Majoy Baron. PLDT signed the duo after F2’s disbandment, alongside wing spiker Kim Kianna Dy.
So as Cignal won its fifth PVL bronze, it’s an added bonus for MJ to face the two. Baron copped best middle blocker honors for the conference, while Fajardo has been consistent as the High Speed Hitters’ main playmaker.
Perez herself was named Best Import following the HD Spikers’ podium finish.
“It was so nice to see them because I have so much love for them. Of course, we [have] too many memories together. Sometimes I keep in touch with some of them. So it was nice to see them. And of course, I know how experienced they are, Majoy and especially Kim,” she told The GAME after Cignal’s four-set win over PLDT.
“For sure, I knew I’m going to face them at any moment [as] I didn’t see them for the whole conference. And today, we were fighting for the bronze. In my mind, it just came out that we have to play. It’s a bronze medal.”
2024 also marks MJ’s return to Asian volleyball following her “injury-plagued” Vietnam stint. This time around, Amiga has been able to show her lethal form with the HD Spikers.
The Venezuelan finished the Reinforced Conference fourth in scoring, tenth in spiking efficiency, and seventh in service aces.
MJ’s comeback is also an eye opener, given this year’s batch of imports. She cited Marina Tushova, who reset the PVL records thrice with 46, 49, and 50 point efforts.
“I’m not able to score these points. But I’m have my experience and I can share [that] with my teammates. And talk to my teammates…More than points, so I focus more on this. Of course, I do my best and make as much points as I can. But always think that this is a volleyball team,” said MJ, who’s been a pro since 2008.
“And we have to play as a team. And my team this year was amazing. So, I’m so proud of them. They really play so good. The setter [Gel Cayuna]. Everybody. It was really [about working] together.”
Most importantly, MJ has found a new family in the HD Spikers. While F2 will always be special, she now has a new group of sisters to make new memories, and hopefully win championships with.
“Since I came, I feel very welcomed. I feel like I’m part of the family. Because this is how Cignal works. They work as a family. And it was easy to get in the team. The girls are so nice. The management, the coaches. Everybody tries to help you,” she shares.
“So, it was a really good experience to have them and to have this concept that we are a family. And it was easy to get inside.”
Winning foundation
While the job’s not finished, Amiga is nonetheless proud of Cignal’s fifth bronze medal. After all, this will be a foundation for their championship aspirations moving forward.
But like her teammates, MJ knows they had a shot at competing for the title this conference. Cignal was on track to enter the Finals, only for Creamline to mount a spirited comeback in the semis.
“I’m so happy of course for the result. It’s still not the result we wanted. But we are still very thankful for the last game, but we are happy we could get this bronze medal. We have been working very hard, and we have our mindset this conference that we want to be on the podium,” she reflected.
MJ Perez is set to finish her Cignal debut in the one-week Invitational Conference. Given the hectic schedule, it will be a test of resolve for Cignal and the teams competing.
Accompanying Cignal will be champions Creamline and the Farm Fresh Foxies. Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze will defend their Invitational title, while Thailand’s U20 team is competing under the EST Cola banner.
“I think we have to be very mentally ready, and of course, physically ready because it’s going to be harsh. But I think we’re positive that this will be good for the team, so we will do our best for this tournament,” concluded Perez.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.