MANILA, Philippines — MJ Perez unleashed the best PVL finals performance in history but it wasn’t enough to deliver Cignal’s first-ever league title and stop Creamline’s championship poise in their thrilling winner-take-all Invitational Conference game on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Perez poured a new record of 42 points, leaving everything on the floor with 37 kills, three aces, and a pair of blocks to go with 17 excellent receptions and 11 digs but Creamline still asserted its mastery of the HD Spikers to complete a season grand slam with a 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13 win.

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“We’re sad because the main target for us was to win the [championship], but I’m so proud of my teammates. We fought until the end,” said Perez. “I was very excited. At some point, when they didn’t give me the set, I told [Gel Cayuna] ‘set it to me’ but of course, it’s not only me. We have other players and they also did great and it’s good to have this kind of help inside the court.”

READ: PVL: Coach Shaq happy to have MJ Perez on his side this time

Perez’s finals record-setting was also the top five best scoring outing in the league behind Marina Tushova’s three records, 50, 49, and 45 in the Reinforced Conference and Prisilla Rivera’s 44 two years ago.

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The veteran outside spiker, who won a championship with F2 Logistics in the defunct Philippine Superliga a couple of years back, admitted that Philippine volleyball has already reached a higher level with Creamline setting the gold standard in the pros. 

“I can say that it was very hard and very challenging for my team. The level is higher and Creamline showed good volleyball and they knew how to move their pieces inside,” Perez said.

Playing in the Philippines

Cignal HD Spikers’ MJ Perez and Ces Molina. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“The Philippines have now many [high-leaping] players growing up. They are good talents and I can see now that there are many good players from different teams and young teams, then also I feel that now I see the volleyball here they have more combination, more defense, it looks different when I came [here first],” she added.

READ: PVL: Macandili-Catindig’s defensive leadership gives Cignal solid foundation

Perez, the Reinforced Best Foreign Guest Player and Invitational’s Best Outside Spiker,said her experience in the Philippines changed her decision to hang up her volleyball jersey and continue playing.

“I was thinking like ‘yes, this is my last season’ but then again, to play in the Philippines for me has been very special since I came here, I really loved to play here because of the fans, the people, and when this opportunity came out, I don’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] because here, it’s too different,” said Perez.

“I played in other countries and how people feel about volleyball here is totally different. I just love to play here and feel the crowd and everything so for me, it’s a good decision to come.”

Perez now has decided to go to see action in Europe.

“After what I showed here, you know before I was thinking that it’s time to retire with my age and everything, but after this challenge here, I feel good and offers came. I decided to go to play in Europe. I still can’t make it official because I haven’t signed my final contract but a possibility that after here I will play in [Europe],” she said.

Cignal remained a bridesmaid for the second time around but Perez believes that their heartbreaking loss will only make them stronger to achieve the elusive PVL title.

“They have to work more and be more disciplined because they now know that they can make it. Today was not for us, but I’m sure this team has a good future and I wish the best for all of them. I witnessed how they work and how dedicated they work so I hope in the future they can get the championship,” Perez said.