MJ Perez returns to power Cignal in Reinforced Conference


FILE–MJ Perez. Photo By Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — MJ Perez is returning to Manila five years after her last stint in the country and will take her act to Cignal in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference starting on July 16.

The HD Spikers on Wednesday welcomed the former Venezuela national team player, who is no longer a stranger to the Philippine volleyball scene.

The 36-year-old Perez is a former Philippine Superliga Grand Prix MVP in 2017, leading the defunct F2 Logistics to a championship. She also served as import for the Cargo Movers in 2018 and 2019 before the club moved to PVL in 2021 and debuted in the following year but the squad was disbanded last December.

Perez last saw action in Egypt with the Alexandria Sporting Club in the previous season. She played in Vietnam with the Than Quang Ninh Volleyball Club two years ago and also excelled in Indonesia and emerged as a decorated player in Venezuela.

Cignal is seeking to return to the PVL Reinforced Conference finals after their breakthrough two years ago with import Tai Bierria but fell to Petro Gazz in the series.

READ: Vanie Gandler, Dawn Catindig bring Cignal connection to PH team

Perez’s arrival is a timely boost for the HD Spikers, who could miss Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler due to their commitments to Alas Pilipinas.

Cignal missed the semifinals of the previous All-Filipino Conference as Perez teams up with former PSL rivals Ces Molina and coach Shaq Delos Santos, who is also banking on Gel Cayuna, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ria Meneses, and Rose Doria.

Perez was the sixth PVL import unveiled hours after Choco Mucho welcomed Greek Spiker Zoi Faki. Capital1 brought Russian outside spiker Marina Tushova, Creamline will be baking on American spiker Erica Staunton, Chery Tiggo brought back Khat Bell in the Philippines, and PLDT will be running it back with its previous Russian reinforcement Elena Samoilenko.



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PBA Finals loss fuels CJ Perez to get better


San Miguel Beer guard CJ Perez during Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The hard work never stops for CJ Perez in the offseason especially after San Miguel Beer lost in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Even after coming off his best PBA season yet, Perez, the Best Player of the Conference in the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup, feels the need to further improve his game and help get the Beermen back to the top.

“Of course, I’ll continue to do what I’m doing and I’m not going to stop doing the things that help me get better. There will be struggles but every team goes through those things to improve so I’ll prepare for it,” said Perez in Filipino after their 80-78 defeat in Game 6 on Sunday.

READ: Meralco wins first PBA title, survives San Miguel in Game 6

“I still have a lot of weaknesses. I still need to learn a lot and I still have a lot to work on. We’ll see in the next conference.”

Perez had a tough outing in Game 6, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

The finals series–apart from Game 2 where he erupted for 34 points–was a struggle for Perez offensively against Meralco’s defensive schemes.

Still, Perez lauded the Beermen squad for bringing the fight to the Bolts.

“I’m still proud of my teammates and coaches on how hard they worked.”



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