Cignal wasted no time reclaiming its throne in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League.
In a sweeping fashion, the HD Spikers hit two birds with one stone, securing a 27-25, 31-33, 25-16, 25-18 victory over the Iloilo D’Navigators to reign supreme in the PNVF Champions League men’s division over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
With a flawless 5-0 campaign, the HD Spikers clinched their second title in the PNVF and avenged the tough defeat of their women counterparts against Petro Gazz in the women’s final last week.
“It’s very fulfilling; last year we lost, and we revamped with young, enthusiastic, and eager players who want to be champions,” Cignal HD coach Dexter Clamor said. “It’s definitely a satisfying and happy feeling.”
National men’s team spiker Joshua Umandal starred with a 28-point eruption on 23 attacks, four blocks, and an ace – numbers that earned him the MVP honors.
He was also named the First Best Outside Hitter.
Teammates JP Bugaoan (Second Best Middle Blocker), who dropped 23 points against Iloilo, and EJ Casana (Best Setter) joined him in the Dream Team.
Iloilo’s Jayvee Sumagaysay emerged as the First Middle Blocker, his teammate John Benedict San Andres as the Second Best Outside Hitter, VNS Asereht’s Kevin Montemayor as Best Opposite Spiker, and College of Saint Benilde’s Alvin Bryle Gomez as the Best Libero.
VNS was hailed with the Fair Play Award to cap the awardees in the men’s tilt of the PNVF backed by PLDT, Ayala Land, Nuvali, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports+, Mikasa, Senoh, Foton, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Besides Umandal and team captain Bugaoan, Mark Frederick Calado and Lloyd Josafat also provided ample support with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The HD Spikers finished off the D’Navigators in one hour and 48 minutes despite extended duels in the first two sets, 27-25 and 31-33.
The D’Navigators of veteran coach Rizalito Delmoro leaned on Kyle Villamor with 24 points.
Meanwhile, San Andres and Sumagaysay had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Still, they still fell short after also sweeping their way to the finals.
Saint Benilde, meanwhile, scored a 25-18, 25-22, 26-24 victory over VNS in the bronze-medal match to complete the podium of the first event this year by the PNVF headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Savouge Spin Doctors swept Philippine Army, 25-16, 25-23, 25-21, for fifth place, while PGJC Philippine Navy beat Philippine Air Force, 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, for seventh place in the classification matches for the PNVF Champions League men’s final ranking.
