Hindered by a knee injury throughout most of the second round and the semifinals, Jau Umandal shook off the rust and delivered for Cignal in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals last Wednesday night.
Umandal, the 2023 Open Conference MVP, had been on restricted minutes since the start of the second round of the eliminations due to a hyperextended knee.
But when his team needed him most, the 27-year-old outside hitter stepped up, powering the HD Spikers to finally break Criss Cross’ unbeaten streak, 22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 15-12 — and pushing them one step closer to a three-peat.
“Ang saya ko sobra kasi almost second round ng elimination hindi ako nakapaglaro. Dalawang semis [games], hindi ako makapaglaro. Galing ako sa injury,” said Umandal after the emotional Game 1 win.
“Sabi ko lang kanina kapag pinasok ako, ito na ‘yung parang gusto kong ilabas ‘yung nararamdaman ko.”
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Up against a King Crunchers side that whipped them thrice this conference, the former University of Sto. Tomas star rose to the occasion and registered a team-high 19 points off the bench.
Umandal stepped up in the clutch as well, delivering back-to-back hits to break a 12-all deadlock in the fifth set, before a costly attack error by Jude Garcia sealed the win for Cignal in an intense two-hour, 16-minute battle.
When asked what changed for the HD Spikers compared to their first three losses to Criss Cross, Alas Pilipinas mainstay Jau Umandal pointed to one key factor — aggressiveness.
“Ngayon, naglabasan na ‘yung aggressiveness namin talaga. Kung sino ‘yung willing maglaro, kung sino ‘yung willing mag-contribute, makikita mo ngayon. Laban na ng puso ‘to eh, kung sinong mas matibay sa loob, siya ‘yung mananalo,” said Umandal.
“Di kami nananalo, hirap kami sa kanila as in hirap. Prepared kami mentally, physically, talagang nahihirapan pa rin kami. Pero ‘yung hirap na ‘yun, siguro worth it talaga ngayon.”
But Umandal knows the job is far from over, expecting the King Crunchers to come out swinging in Game 2. He knows the opponent will do everything to bounce back and level the series.
For Cignal — and for Umandal — it’s about maintaining its focus and delivering another strong performance to secure its third consecutive crown.
“Pero sabi ko nga, hindi pa tapos. May Game 2 pa so must win, must win talaga.”
