Cignal regains Champions League throne

Cignal HD regained its throne with a 27-25, 31-33, 25-16, 25-18 finale win over Iloilo in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League men’s division on Saturday night, Feb. 17, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

After a runner-up finish to UST last season, the vengeful HD Spikers completed redemption by sweeping the eight-team tilt behind the efforts of Tournament MVP Joshua Umandal.

Umandal saved his best for last, erupting for 28 points on 23 hits, four blocks and an ace to fend off the gritty resistance from the D’Navigators for their second title in the PNVF backed by PLDT, Ayala Land, Nuvali, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports+, Mikasa, Senoh, Foton, Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Umandal, a national team member, drew solid coverage from skipper JP Bugaoan with 23 points on 15 attacks, five blocks and three aces while Mark Frederick Calado and Lloyd Josafat threw in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Cignal, which wiped out Pool A before making short work of VNS Asereht in the semifinals, in the process achieved what its women’s counterparts fell short of completing after also an elimination-round sweep only to bow against eventual champion Petro Gazz in the finale.

The HD Spikers, under the tutelage of coach Dexter Clamor, traded heymakers with the D’Navigators in the match with extended sets one after another but proved to be the steadier warriors down the stretch.

After surrendering a close 31-33 defeat in the second, Umandal took charge and Cignal owned the next two to finish off the duel in one hour and 48 minutes to reign supreme anew atop the PNVF headed president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

Kyle Villamor tallied 24 points while John San Andres and Jayvee Sumagaysay had 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the valiant stand of the D’Navigators mentored by Rizalito Delmoro.