CALLING it a career was almost an option for MJ Perez before joining Cignal for a second Philippine stint - and first in the PVL.
But even as championship gold eluded her and the HD Spikers twice, Perez’ second coming to the country prompted a late change of heart for her to give her decorated pro career a lifeline.
READ: Creamline beats Cignal to complete PH volley's first Grand Slam
The 36-year-old Venezuelan ace has played for 11 pro clubs in nine countries on top of being an active member of her homeland’s national team for half of her life in the last 18 years.
While Father Time has admittedly started to catch up with Perez, she’d go on to prove that age is just a number by winning the best foreign guest player nod even as the oldest import in the 2024 field.
Leading Cignal to a runner-up finish in the Invitationals also saw her win the best outside spiker plum to cap a respectable campaign amid a hectic stretch of matches.
Too good to let go of
A champion in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga (PSL) with F2 Logistics, the prospect of returning to the Philippines was one she couldn’t pass on even if retirement was already in the cards.
“I was thinking like, ‘Yes, this is my last season.’ But then again, to play in the Philippines for me has been very special. I really love to play here because of the fans, the people,” said Perez.
“When this opportunity came out, I (didn't) have to think too much. I said yes, this is my time to come back, see my friends, and feel again the volleyball (in the Philippines)."
Quality-wise, a lot has changed for the better for Philippine volleyball since her PSL stint nearly half a decade ago.
“Compared to when I (first) came, I feel there’s a lot of difference. I said before that Philippines has many (high-leaping) players. They are good talents and I can see now that there’s many good players in different teams and young teams," she detailed.
“Now, I see the volleyball here that they have more combination plays, more defense. It just looks different from when I first came here.”
While she did not reveal the specifics, Perez received overseas offers in the midst of her PVL stint and will soon take her talents to Europe, barring any late changes.
Still, ‘Amiga’ made it clear that she remains open to return to the Philippines for a third time if all aligns for it to happen in the future.
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