Cignal gets to test its mettle against a tough and competitive field in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League firing off this Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Parading a couple of new additions in decorated libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig and young opposite spiker Jovelyn Fernandez, the HD Spikers want to take advantage of their debut in the short tournament to prime up for the coming 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
“The goal of the team is to use this tournament as an opportunity to really give everyone exposure,” Catindig, who joined the squad last December after the disbandment of her former club F2 Logistics, told DAILY TRIBUNE.
Cignal will battle other PVL rivals Petro Gazz, Chery Tiggo, Philippine Army, and defending champion College of Saint Benilde in the round-robin eliminations where the Top 4 teams faceoff in the knockout semifinals. The final is a winner-take-all affair.
Games are scheduled every day in the week-long tournament.
“Because the tournament is short and we’ll be playing consecutively, our main priority is the health of the players in preparation for the PVL,” Catindig said.
The HD Spikers open their campaign in a rematch against the Crossovers, whom they defeated in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference battle for third series.
Cignal clashes with the Angels on Monday before squaring off with the Lady Troopers the following day. The Shaq delos Santos-mentored club closes the elims against the Lady Blazers on Wednesday before taking a bye the following day.
Reigning PVL Invitational Conference Most Valuable Player Ces Molina is at the forefront of the HD Spikers charge backed by other holdovers rising star Vanie Gandler, Roselyn Doria, Riri Meneses, and reigning 2nd All-Filipino Conference Best Setter Gel Cayuna.
“We can only solidify and build our movement and chemistry through games,” Macandili said.
Cignal won back-to-back bronze medals in the PVL Invitational and 2nd All-Filipino Conferences but has yet to win a crown in the pro ranks.
Meanwhile, new-look Chery Tiggo gives a sneak peek of its firepower following the offseason signing of grizzled veterans Aby Marano and Ara Galang.
The former F2 Logistics stars get to measure their chemistry with the club’s holdovers Mylene Paat, sisters EJ and Eya Laure, Shaya Adorador, Ces Robles, setters Alina Bicar and Jasmine Nabor, Jen Nierva and Cza Carandang.
Petro Gazz, on the other hand, will get to preview how new Japanese head coach Koji Tsuzurabara’s system fares with the club weeks after his arrival.
Filipino-American Brooke Van Sickle will make her debut for the Angels, who will also welcome the return of power-hitter Myla Pablo.
Also bannering Petro Gazz are Remy Palma, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Jonah Sabete, playmaker Djanel Cheng, Nicole Tiamzon and recruits Michelle Morente, Ethan Arce and Joy Dacoron.
The PVL unwraps its 2024 season on 20 February.
