Cignal HD's Jau Umandal in their game against Savouge in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, February 23, 2025. PVL Media

MANILA -- Jau Umandal took charge for Cignal HD in the opening week of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, towing the HD Spikers to an immaculate 2-0 start.

After setting the tone with 10 points on an 8-of-16 attack clip in the HD Spikers' sweep of newcomer Alpha Insurance last Friday, the former UST standout cranked his game up a notch two days later with 17 more markers on an astounding 16-of-23 spiking efficiency in Cignal's 25-23, 27-25, 25-19 win over Savouge.

Umandal's efforts earned him the nod as the Spikers' Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of February 21 to 23.

READ: Cignal HD turns back gritty Savouge to stay unbeaten

READ: Cignal HD weathers upset bid from Alpha Insurance

He gained the citation over teammate Steven Rotter and the Criss Cross trio of Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia, and Kim Malabunga for the weekly citation handed out by reporters covering the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.

Umandal, however, is keeping his focus on the big picture.

"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.”

Umandal credits his Cignal teammates - many of whom are part of the Alas Pilipinas men's volleyball team - for keeping him grounded no matter how often they cruise to wins 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."

He is also confident that their level of play can only improve as the tournament progresses.

"Hindi pa ito 'yung best ko, kaya patuloy pa rin akong magtatrabaho para mas mapaganda pa ang laro ko," he said.

Cignal’s next assignment for the week will be against VNS on Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig and PGJC-Navy on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.