With two international caliber players at his disposal, Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor has no doubt that the HD Spikers have the system to fully utilize Bryan Bagunas and Jau Umandal in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
In the sporting realm, the arrival of two star players to a single team often heralds a mix of excitement and apprehension.
While the prospect of combining two exceptional talents holds promise for success, history has shown that it can also introduce challenges in team chemistry. From clash of egos to struggle for dominance on the court, many problems may arise from such a setup.
However, Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor is confident that the HD Spikers have what it takes to utilize Bryan Bagunas and Jau Umandal in their title-retention bid in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
“Kami sa Cignal ‘yun ‘yung sistema namin. ‘Yun ‘yung meron kami na ‘yung number one is right character talaga ng player. ‘Yung skills given na ‘yun e pero pag ‘yung character mo medyo sablay hindi ‘yun uubra sa Cignal,” Clamor remarked.
Both Bagunas and Umandal have the same job descriptions in their calling card — two high-volume scorers of international caliber.
Bagunas carries a five-year international experience under his belt.
The 6-foot-5 high-flyer played three years with the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler in the Japan V. League before seeing action for Win Streak in the Top Volleyball League in Taiwan, where he captured two championships and an MVP plum to boot.
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For his part, Umandal had an overseas stint of his own with Bani Jamra in the Isa bin Rashid Volleyball League in Bahrain, on top of multiple national team call ups.
The 6-foot-2 gunslinger also has several accolades in the local circuit, collecting awards and titles in the Spikers’ Turf and the PNVF Champions League.
Despite their undeniable success as the number one option, Clamor assures that the two alphas are mature enough to set aside pride and ego for Cignal’s success.
“Matured naman ‘yung dalawa na ‘yun e. Kung meron mang healthy competition sa bawat isa, okay ‘yun. Pero when it comes sa pride, when it comes sa ‘Sino ba sa amin ang dapat star player niyo’, hindi ko nakikitaan ng ganun,” Clamor said.
Bagunas and Umandal were two of the integral cogs behind the historical silver-medal finish of the Philippine men’s national volleyball team in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
Several years later, the connection between the two remains as strong as ever, evidently so when the returning Bagunas made his Cignal debut on Wednesday night, April 3.
Umandal and the HD Spikers gave Bagunas a warm homecoming after dismantling the Philippine Air Force Airmen in straight sets, 25-10, 25-21, 25-15.
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As the two shared the court for the first time in quite a while, the reigning champions proved that they can take care of business as a cohesive unit.
Well aware that the Air Force would turn its defensive efforts to contain Bagunas and Umandal, Cignal attacked on all cylinders to keep the defense guessing.
This resulted in a well-rounded scoring thrust from the HD Spikers, who strung the most contributions from captain JP Bugaoan’s 16 points.
Umandal also breached double-digit territory with 11 markers, while Mark Calado chipped in nine points for Cignal, which also drew six markers each from Wendel Miguel and Lloyd Josafat.
Bagunas, who arrived in Manila on Tuesday fresh from his second title conquest in Taiwan, came off the bench and scored eight.
“I’m happy na meron akong ganyang dalawang player pero again pagtatrabahuhan namin as one team,” Clamor said.
“Lagi ko naman sinasabi kahit na individually malakas kung hindi naman papasok ‘yung chemistry ng team, hindi uubra.”
With Bagunas finally in the fold, the HD Spikers aim to strengthen their chemistry and cohesion in preparation for their marquee clash with the Criss Cross King Crunchers on April 14, Sunday, at the PhilSports Arena.