Jau Umandal did not allow exhaustion to hamper his game, as the spiker delivered a league career-high 36 points to lift the Cignal HD Spikers over the D’Navigators in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
Jau Umandal and the Cignal HD Spikers faced an uphill battle on Wednesday night.
Riddled with fatigue after a grueling five-set victory over Criss Cross last Sunday, the defending champions, who also missed the services of Bryan Bagunas due to his commitment with Win Streak, struggled to find their rhythm against the D’Navigators in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
[ALSO READ: After leading Cignal to win vs. Criss Cross, Bryan Bagunas set to leave for Taiwan to suit up for Win Streak in All-Star Game]
Umandal then rose to the occasion, carrying the HD Spikers on his back as they clawed their way back from a set down to complete a thrilling 21-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-19, 15-7 escape act.
As the dust settled, the hard-hitting 6-foot-2 outside hitter set a new career-high in the Spikers’ Turf with 36 points, firing 32 attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
“Siguro kami talagang pagod pa kami sa game namin against Criss Cross. Siguro in-overcome namin ‘yung pagod at lahat ng pressure na meron kami sa team. As in talagang kahit mentally prepared ka kung physical condition mo talagang pagod, sobrang hirap,” Umandal said.
“Para sa akin, mas nanatili sa akin ‘yung pagiging beterano ko na kailangan ma-overcome ko ‘tong pagod na ‘to para hindi sayang ‘yung punta ko dito at hindi sayang 'yung pinaghirapan ng ilang araw. Ayaw ko rin magpatalo ng basta basta lang.”
Umandal, who also collected 10 receptions and six excellent digs, did not expect to score as high as he did.
“Hindi ko expected na aabot ako sa ganito kataas. Hindi kami nanalo hindi lang dahil sa akin, dahil sa buong team. So parang hindi ko siya inisip na kailangan marami ako ipuntos. Gusto ko lang talaga makatulong,” the reigning MVP said.
“Nagpapasalamat pa rin ako na na-achieve ko ‘yung ganiyang achievement kahit papaano.”
[ALSO READ: Spikers' Turf: 'It's a different Jau Umandal', says Cignal coach Dexter Clamor]
For his herculean efforts, Umandal punched Cignal’s ticket to the semifinals as the HD Spikers remain perched atop the standings with a league-best 6-0 record.
“Ngayon sobrang saya, sobrang worth it ‘yung pinaghirapan namin. Dalawang araw lang pahinga namin tapos laban namin. Masaya kumbaga nakikita namin ‘yung pinaghihirapan namin. I hope na magtuloy tuloy ‘yung ganitong performance namin at ‘yung pag focus namin sa season na ‘to,” he said.
Umandal and the rest of the HD Spikers seek to sustain their fine form when they take on the VNS-Nasty Griffins on April 24, Wednesday, at Paco Arena.