May 02, 2024

Cignal's Jau Umandal cops PNVF Champions League MVP award

Cignal
Jau Umandal adds a feather to his cap after becoming the PNVF Champions League MVP. Photo (c) Cignal HD Spikers

Cignal HD Spikers hitter Jau Umandal hoisted the PNVF Champions League Most Valuable Player award on Saturday night.

The 6-foot-2 stalwart earned the distinction moments after steering the HD Spikers to the championship against the D'Navigators Iloilo at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

  

It was a significant win for Umandal, since this time, he's now a champion.

In the 2023 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, he won the MVP award but settled for silver with AMC Cotabato as they bowed to the Cignal HD Spikers.

A few months later, Umandal suited up for Cignal but lost the 2023 PNVF Challenge Cup to the UST Growling Tigers.

In the 2024 tournament, Umandal was also awarded the Best Opposite Hitter award, sharing the honor with Barbie San Andres of the D'Navigators Iloilo.

 

Cignal has two other invidual awardees as well in Best Middle Blocker JP Bugaoan and Best Setter EJ Casaña.

  

Iloilo's Jayvee Sumagaysay received the other Best Middle Blocker plum.

  

Meanwhile, Kevin Montemayor took home the Best Opposite Spiker award.

  

Bryle Gomez of the College of St. Benilde earned the Best Libero citation.