FROM Venezuela to Manila, MJ Perez emerged as Philippine volleyball’s charming ‘amiga,’ and now returns to local shores still as charismatic and impactful as can be.
And five years since she last suited up for now-defunct F2 Logistics in the Philippine Superliga (PSL), Perez reintroduced herself in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) through a dazzling 22-point performance with eight excellent receptions to her name in Cignal's triumph over back-to-back runner-up Choco Mucho.
READ: Abil's victorious PVL return gives hope to those who are left out
If one followed Perez’ first stint in the country, to see her don red-and-white for the HD Spikers is quite a bizarre sight, as those were the colors of the Cargo Movers' fiercest foes back in the PSL.
Half a decade later, Perez is thrilled by a change in environment which meant some of her ex-teammates have become rivals such as Aby Maraño, Majoy Baron, and Kim Fajardo, while also having past foes turn into friends in Ces Molina, Jheck Dionela, and Riri Meneses, among others.
She’ll be reunited, though, with longtime F2 mainstay Dawn Macandili-Catindig once the latter returns from Alas Pilipinas duties.
Amiga's stronger ties with Cignal
All these and more have been nothing short of exciting for Perez as she begins a new chapter in her Philippine volleyball career.
“It’s very nice to be in a new team with new and young players. I feel happy because I can help them with my experience. Of course, I have good friends in the other teams, my former teammates, but it’s really nice to come to a team who appreciates my work,” Perez said.
“I know there’s more to come because this is just the beginning and we will keep working for it.”
While her PVL debut with Cignal saw her and the rest of the HD Spikers move like clockwork in a statement first win, the former PSL champion and MVP is ready to put in the work to build better ties with her new club — and setter Gel Cayuna, in particular.
“The last days, we have been working a lot especially with our connection. She’s very open. She’s very flexible. It’s good that we have communication all the time so we can get this confidence in the game," she said.
“I’m very happy because (our first win) was really a team effort. It’s cool to be back in the Philippines and feel all the atmosphere and all the fans supporting. It is so nice to be back.”
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