Cignal HD Spiker Mitch Datuin says making it back to PSL Finals another chance to redeem themselves

Cignal HD Captain Mitch Datuin is looking to win her first PSL Championship against rival TMS-Army.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

After about a month of competition, two teams remain for the Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix Championship. This is like deja vu all over again. In the first conference, TMS-Army and Cignal HD went head to head in the Finals which eventually Army won the inaugural PSL crown. Fast forward to this Saturday, December 14 -- TMS-Army and Cignal HD crossed paths yet again for the championship.

This time around, teams are reinforced with imports and the competition just got even better. For TMS-Army, the addition of Rachel Anne Daquis gave their roster some added firepower. On the other side of the fence, Cignal HD a major boost on floor defense in the form of Jheck Dionela -- whom last conference for Cagayan Valley Lady Rising Suns.

Lessons learned from last conference

With the return of Cignal HD in the finals, beating an undefeated team like PLDT MyDSL -- a team that improved from 5th place to number 1 -- Captain Mitch Datuin and Co. were determined to get another crack at the title.

"Siyempre hopeful kami na diba na kami parin yung maglalaro sa championship," Datuin said.

"Hindi namin tinatanggal sa isip naming yung possibility na kami parin."

Going up against a team like TMS-Army, she knows its gonna be a lot tougher the second time around and they have to be prepared whatever the Lady Troopers can dish out.

"Part 2 ng first conference, so I think mas magiging preparado kami ngayon kasi syempre napagdaanan na namin yun nung first conference. Kaya dapat mas prepared kami ngayon," Cignal HD's Captain explained.

College Rivalry rekindled

Rachel Anne Daquis vs Mitch Datuin -- who doesn't wanna see you this match-up especially in a championship game? Both these spikers are uber competitive since their playing days in the UAAP. This match is gonna be a treat for old school fans and the new generation as well.

Their college rivalry may be a thing in the past but for Mitch, she'd rather let her game do the talking as faces an old foe in Rachel. She knows RAD is hungry to win the title but of course, the former Lady Spiker wants it more.

"We’ll see. Ayoko magbitaw ng salita," she said.

"Although siyempre, alam naman natin kung ano ang nangyari nung UAAP. Mas gusto namin manalo ngayon – mas gusto kong manalo ngayon," Datuin added.

Redeem Team

As game time looms closer, being back in the Finals was somewhat destined for a team like Cignal HD. For Datuin though, she likens her situation to that with movies having a sequel -- another chance for a better ending.

"Para lang movie lang yang movie – may part 1, part 2. So parang, another chance to redeem ourselves from last conference."