n a team brimming with talent, complacency can be a more dangerous opponent than the fiercest rival. That’s why Cignal’s Jau Umandal refuses to rest on his laurels, even as the HD Spikers continue their dominant run in Spikers’ Turf.
As Cignal extended its dynasty with a quick 2-0 start in the 2025 Open Conference, Umandal stood out among a team of golden stars, earning him the first Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week award presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of February 21 to 23.
Umandal set the tone last Friday, tallying 10 points on an 8-of-16 attacking clip in Cignal’s sweep of newcomer Alpha Insurance. Two days later, he elevated his performance, exploding for 17 points with an impressive 16-of-23 spiking efficiency in Cignal’s 25-23, 27-25, 25-19 victory over Savouge.
His stellar offensive display edged out teammate Steven Rotter and Criss Cross’ trio of Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia, and Kim Malabunga for the weekly citation, awarded by reporters covering the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.
But for Umandal, a true champion never settles for small victories, knowing that the road to another title remains filled with challenges.
“Ang mindset ko ngayong season ay mag-focus lang sa bawat laro at gawin ang best ko para makatulong sa team. Malaking bagay na maganda ang naging simula ko, pero alam kong marami pa akong dapat ayusin at pagbutihin,” he said.
“Lalo na laban sa malalakas na teams tulad ng Savouge, kailangan kong manatiling composed at sumunod sa game plan namin. Hindi rin ito magiging posible kung hindi dahil sa tiwala ng teammates at coaches ko, kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila.”
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
Umandal credits his Cignal teammates—many of whom are also part of the Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team—for keeping him grounded despite their consistent success as a cohesive unit.
“Maswerte ako na nasa isang team na maraming magagaling na players. Malaking bagay ‘yung magkaroon ng teammates na laging nag-uusap, nagtutulungan, at nagtutulak sa isa’t isa para mas gumaling,” he continued.
“Sa totoo lang, nakakagaan ng loob na hindi ko kailangang akuin lahat ng responsibilidad sa laro dahil lahat kami may ambag. Dahil doon, mas na-challenge ako na gawin ang part ko nang maayos at maging consistent para makatulong sa team.”
For Umandal, the best is yet to come—good news for Cignal, but bad news for everyone else.
“Hindi pa ito ‘yung best ko, kaya patuloy pa rin akong magtatrabaho para mas mapaganda pa ang laro ko,” he concluded.
Cignal returns to action on Wednesday against VNS at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig before facing PGJC-Navy on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
