Cignal main gunner Ces Molina is bringing in an offensive mindset to help the HD Spikers capture the elusive crown when hostilities in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference erupt next month.
The explosive open spiker wants to focus more on producing the much-needed points now that Cignal has tapped the services of decorated libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, who is expected to bolster the club’s floor defense.
Molina, who was named 2023 Invitational Conference Most Valuable Player, has been the HD Spikers’ go-to guy on offense.
In the season-ending 2nd All-Filipino Conference, the 5-foot-10 former national team winger averaged 15.6 points per game.
This time, Molina wants to up the ante.
“I think points-wise I need to produce consistently. My goal is to produce at least 20 points every game. That’s my personal goal,” Molina said.
“For me it’s a big thing that I get to score 20 points each game,” the do-it-all Cignal workhorse added.
But Molina cleared that she’s not setting this goal for individual accolades.
“Winning the MVP will always be there. There’s a lot of time and chance to get the MVP, but I don’t want to think about it. My goal is to help the team get back into the championship because it has been a long time since the last time we got there,” she said.
Molina is confident she’ll be able to achieve her scoring target as she enters the new season in tip-top shape.
“I could say that I’m ready because I’m injury-free. I don’t want to have lapses this conference. Injuries hinder us from playing at our best. So I’m really trying to avoid getting injured through strength and conditioning while also doing rehab for me to be ready to help the team this conference,” Molina, who is on her third year with Cignal, said.
The HD Spikers collected two bronze finishes last year in the Invitational and 2nd All-Filipino Conference.
Cignal’s best podium finish was in the 2022 Reinforced Conference when it ended runner-up to Petro Gazz.
Aside from Catindig, the HD Spikers also signed young opposite spiker Jovelyn Fernandez while maintaining their core.
Roselyn Doria, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Riri Meneses, rising star Vanie Gandler and 2nd AFC Best Setter Gel Cayuna will be back to settle an unfinished business for the Shaq delos Santos-mentored club.
“There’s an advantage and disadvantage. The reason why other teams are recruiting is to strengthen their respective lineups. Our advantage is that we know each other well,” Molina said.
“We got a few additions but we are running the same system. So, coach Shaq only needs to teach just a couple of new players about his system. That’s our biggest advantage as a team.”
