In a showdown brimming with intensity and nostalgia, Jau Umandal emerged as the beacon of resilience, propelling Cignal to a hard-fought triumph against the formidable Criss Cross squad, comprised of former HD Spikers, in a thrilling encounter last Sunday night.
The highly-anticipated clash, held at the iconic Philsports Arena, unfolded into a five-set spectacle, with Umandal's heroics steering the defending champions to a 20-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
Amidst a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, Umandal's brilliance on the court shone brightest, as he notched an impressive 20 points, including the decisive match-clinching kill. His stellar performance not only secured a crucial win for Cignal but also ignited a burgeoning rivalry with Criss Cross.
"Tonight, I was fighting for our pride. We couldn't afford to concede defeat to them easily," remarked Umandal during a post-match interview.
Leading up to the conference, the departure of longstanding HD Spikers stalwarts including Espejo, Ysay Marasigan, Manuel Sumanguid, Geuel Asia, and Chumason Njigha marked a seismic shift in the volleyball landscape.
These players, along with other former HD Spikers, formed the nucleus of the newly-backed Rebisco-supported Criss Cross team, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown against their former comrades.
"We prepared for them, and they prepared for us. It all came down to who would step up and deliver when it mattered most," emphasized Umandal, reflecting on the intense buildup to the encounter.
Cignal's head coach, Dexter Clamor, commended Umandal's composure amidst early setbacks, lauding his ability to regain focus following a shaky start in the opening set. Despite initial struggles, Umandal's unwavering resolve proved instrumental in orchestrating Cignal's comeback.
"Jau displayed exceptional control over his emotions. Despite the challenges, his sole focus remained on securing the win," praised Clamor.
The contest witnessed moments of adversity for both sides, with Bagunas sidelined due to severe cramps late in the third set.
However, Cignal's depth and resilience came to the fore, as lesser-known players such as Mark Calado, Nas Gwaza, and Cian Silang stepped up to fill the void, staging a remarkable comeback from an 11-17 deficit in the fourth set.
"The game tested our ability to connect and persevere, especially in Bryan's absence. We rallied together, drawing strength from within to push the match to a decider," reflected Umandal on the team's gritty resolve.
