The Cignal HD Spikers have started their campaign in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on a strong note.

The Shaq delos Santos-coached squad shackled the Sisi Rondina-less Choco Mucho in straight sets, 25-18, 25-21, 25-16, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, July 18.

“Kitang-kita naman sa mukha namin kung gaano kami ka-happy. I think lumabas lang talaga lahat ng effort na ginawa namin sa training, ‘yung hard work talaga,” the Cignal mentor said during the postgame press conference.

Leading the charge was their reinforcement, Venezuelan import MJ Perez, who listed a game-high 22 points.

She was the only HD Spiker in double-digit territory.

It was Perez’s clutch hits during the sort-of tight second frame which allowed them to pull away in the match as the Flying Titans eventually ran out of gas in the final chapter.

The HD Spikers even led by as much as 10 in Set 3, 20-10, before punctuating the one-hour, 44-minute volleyball clinic.

“Most of the time, up and down din ‘yung performance namin, but I’m so proud sa team namin kasi talagang in-all out nila ‘yung game and inangat talaga nila ‘yung level ng laro namin,” Delos Santos said.

Cignal could make it consecutive wins against ZUS Coffee on Tuesday, July 23, while the Flying Titans eye rebound versus Akari on the same game date.

Earlier in the day, the Brooke Van Sickle-led Petro Gazz swept ZUS Coffee, while star spiker Ivy Lacsina towed Akari past Capital1. (ABS-CBN News)