No more error-prone Jau Umandal? Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor is pleased to have a more composed player to lead the HD Spikers in their title defense during the 2024 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
With the departure of Marck Espejo and the impending return of Bryan Bagunas, Jau Umandal has undeniably become Cignal's current main gunner in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
Umandal is well aware of that, as he steered the HD Spikers past the PGJC-Navy Sea Lions to set their title-retention quest in motion on Wednesday night, March 13.
The former UST stalwart steadied the ship in the decisive third frame, when Cignal weathered a late surge from the PGJC-Navy, to finish with a game-high 17 points.
With a greater sense of composure in Umandal's game, HD Spikers head coach Dexter Clamor is seeing his hard-hitting spiker in a new light.
"Siyempre nagpapasalamat kami na it's a different Jau Umandal. It's not the Jau Umandal before na ma-error. Ngayon kasi may disiplina siya," Clamor said.
"Ngayon alam niya na pagkapatapos na 'yung set alam niya kung sino aasahan. Ayun naging aggressive siya noong last part ng set tapos nagtrabaho pa siya kung ano talaga 'yung dapat trabahuhin."
True enough, Umandal has developed a better understanding of when to take risks and when to play it safe, leading to fewer unforced errors.
The perennial national team member now also has a better grasp of Clamor's system, elevating not only his own game but Cignal's performance.
This was evident in the 2024 PNVF Champions League, where Umandal earned MVP honors and steered the team to the summit.
"Siguro ngayon na-adapt niya 'yung sistema ng Cignal kasi wala pa siyang one year sa Cignal. Na-adapt niya easily and 'yung trust niya sa coaches, sa teammates niya, at 'yung trust niya sa sarili niya, medyo tumaas," Clamor said.
"'Yun lang naman e. Dito sa team, hindi naman 'to individual event na siya lang. It's a total team effort pa rin. As long as he follows the system, 'yun 'yung nagpapapanalo ng team," he added.
For Umandal, he is simply putting his best foot forward every step of the way.
"Ako ginagawa ko lang best ko kung ano maibibigay ko sa team. Binibigay ko 'yung one hundred percent ko during games and trainings para pagdating ng laro hindi ako nangangapa. Gusto ko all out ako e," he bared.
"Nag focus ako talaga, mas pinagbutihan ko 'yung this competition na 'to."
With Umandal at the forefront, the HD Spikers are eager to defend their coveted crown. But with a long season ahead, they are looking to take things one game at a time.
'Yung performance namin ngayon hindi pa siya ganun kataas pero mas pipilitin namin na magawa pa rin 'yung best namin kasi mahaba 'yung competition na 'to. So kailangan namin every day magpre-prepare kami," Umandal said.
"Per game muna focus namin ngayon. Kung sino makakalaban, 'yun ang paghahandaan."
Next up for Cignal will be league newcomer Richmarc Sports 3B as the two will clash on March 17, Sunday.