DAWN OF A NEW ERA
However the final of the PVL Invitational Conference turns out, it is clear that Cignal is entering a new era—one where the HD Spikers will regularly be in the championship conversation.
And at the middle of that rise is Dawn Macandili-Catindig, the ever-hustling libero whose ability to read opponents’ attacks is matched only by her ability to cover the floor.
Macandili-Catindig’s presence was felt all over Cignal’s 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-11 victory on late Wednesday evening that knocked the crown off Kurashiki Ablaze’s head at PhilSports Arena, so much so that her efforts did not escape the eyes of MJ Perez, who had a PVL career-high 36 points and 21 excellent digs.
“Of course, we want to win. We are so happy to get this win especially now that we have Dawn now. She brings huge contributions to the team,” said Perez.
Cignal was battling Creamline for the crown at press time.
For Macandili-Catindig, it wasn’t difficult to summon motivation in the match against the Japanese guest club.
After all, she had missed all of Cignal’s matches in the Reinforced Conference to fulfill her national team duties as skipper of Alas Pilipinas. And when she saw the chance to contribute to her club team, she seized it.
“My aggressiveness is coming from just watching from the outside and not being able to play and contribute,” the defense ace said after playing just her third game since being released from national team duties.
“I just focused on staying composed,” said Macandili-Catindig. “I needed to contribute to the team.”
“Contribute” may be an understatement.
Chasing kills and diving all over the floor, Macandili-Catindig had 27 excellent digs that went well with Cignal’s masterful blocking. The HD Spikers’ resolute defense held them together in the crucial moments, especially when they trailed in the fifth set.
That defense also helped set up Perez, the Venezuelan import whose power fueled Cignal in the decider.
Perez delivered three crucial points in the decider, including a deceptive drop thad pushed the HD Spikers to a 12-10 lead.
Finding holes
Kurashiki turned to its own defense to blunt the Cignal attack, but Perez continued to find holes as the HD Spikers widened the gap to three. Yukino Yano breathed life into the Kurashiki bid as she clipped the baseline but Perez set up match point with another kill.
Yano’s kill attempt sailed long, sealing the Japan club’s doom and putting Cignal in a position to claim a maiden crown.
The HD Spikers have only been in this position once back in 2022 when they claimed their highest honor—a silver medal after falling against Petro Gazz in the Reinforced Conference.
Around that bridesmaid finish are five bronze medals with the most recent one coming from the recently concluded Reinforced, where Creamline added a ninth gold to its collection.
But in ousting the Japanese squad from its Invitational throne, Cignal made it clear that this won’t be the last time it will be competing for a title.
