Action between Cignal HD and PGJC Navy in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, March 2, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. PVL Media

MANILA -- Cignal HD had to survive an early challenge before eventually mastering PGJC Navy in four sets in their Spikers' Turf Open Conference showdown on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The HD Spikers dropped the opener but regained their composure to claim a 19-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17 victory.

Jau Umandal led the way for the defending champions with 18 points.

Though they improved to 4-0, Cignal HD coach Dexter Clamor was not pleased after the HD Spikers lost Set 1 -- the first frame dropped by his squad in the tournament.

"They weren't focused in the first set. They were too complacent. Even during warm-ups, they were doing things they weren't supposed to, so I had to call them out right away," Clamor said in Filipino.

"You could see it in their performance in the first set. We committed 14 unforced errors—that's simply unacceptable. That's something I will definitely address with them later," he added.

The HD Spikers bounced back to dominate the next three sets. A 6-0 run in the fourth frame, anchored by Umandal, allowed them to turn a relatively slim 16-12 lead into a more commanding 22-12 advantage.

The HD Spikers never looked back and closed out the match after an hour and 43 minutes of play.

However, they still finished with a whopping 35 unforced errors.

Umandal delivered all but one of his points on attacks and tallied nine excellent receptions. Steven Rotter, despite sitting out the fourth set, backed him up with 15 points.

Wendel Miguel also came through with 13 points and six excellent digs, while JM Ronquillo and Martin Bugaoan contributed nine and eight points, respectively.

Meanwhile, Navy remains in fourth place with a 1-3 win-loss record.

John Ashley Jacob led the Sealions, who continue to miss their top spiker Joeven Dela Vega, with 13 points on nine attacks and three blocks. Peter Quiel and Greg Dolor each contributed 10 markers.