“Kami na ang bahala, Jau.”
These were Bryan Bagunas’ parting words to Jau Umandal before the latter was stretchered out of the court after being hit by an inadvertent elbow late in Game 2 of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference finals.
Umandal took an accidental hit from Criss Cross outside hitter Jude Garcia after the former UST star went for an attack and crossed the net. Garcia’s elbow then landed on Umandal’s head, causing him to fall to the ground.
“Siyempre, ‘yung game nandiyan lang ‘yan kaya naman namin gawin ‘yung nawala, so sabi ko sa kaniya magpagaling siya kami na bahala dito sa Finals,” said Bagunas, who constantly reminded Umandal to open his eyes and stay awake during the unfortunate incident.
Jau Umandal was stretchered out of Game 2 after being struck by an inadvertent elbow
📹 Jonash Dannug/Tiebreaker Times#SpikersTurf2024 pic.twitter.com/yy0tjbXeuz
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 10, 2024
Bagunas made sure to deliver on his promise.
He finished what Umandal started, hammering down the last four points as Cignal completed its sweep of Criss Cross, 25-23, 27-25, 25-21, to retain the Open Conference championship, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The former NU star, who was awarded the Finals MVP, fired 22 points on 15-of-26 spikes, five service aces, and two kill blocks. He also had eight receptions in the title-clinching win.
“Siyempre kailangan ko i-guide si Jau kasi pinapaalahanan ko siya na kami na ‘yung bahala, kasi siyempre ’yung health pa rin niya ‘yung importante,” said the 6-foot-5 outside spiker.
It was the second time that Umandal got hurt in the finals. He previously dove over the officials’ table in an attempt to save the ball during the second frame of the Game 1 win over the King Crunchers last Wednesday.
After serving as a witness to Umandal’s dedication, Bagunas rallied his teammates and told them to fight for their injured teammate, who was immediately taken to the Adventist Medical Center Manila for treatment.
“Sabi ko sa mga teammates ko, nilaban ni Jau, kaya kailangan namin ilaban. Lasi siya, nandoon ‘yung puso niya para manalo sa finals na ‘to, so why not kami? Susuko na lang ba kami? Sinabi ko sa teammates ko na kailangan natin ilaban para kay Jau.”
