Spikers’ Turf: Jau Umandal, Rex Intal power AMC past VNS

Photo from Spikers’ Turf

MANILA, Philippines—Jau Umandal and Rex Intal, who came from two different teams last year, led the AMC Cotabato Spikers to an impressive debut in the 2023 Turf Spikers Open Conference after sweeping the VNS Griffins in straight sets, 25-21, 25- 16, 25-23, at the Paco Arena.

Umandal scored all 12 points in the first two sets as the Cotabato Spikers took a dominant 2-0 lead. But the Griffins took advantage of the second unit of coach Odjie Mamon in the third set, threatening to extend the match with a 20-17 advantage, which forced the final return to the starting field of Umandal, Intal, and setter Kim Dayandante.

Lloyd Josafat conspired with Intal to bring AMC back on top with four straight points for a 23-21 lead but the former stopped the run due to a service error. Intal drilled a quick attack to put his new team at match point, 24-22, before Raven Buslig saved a point but the ace middle blocker completed the third set comeback with a clutch kill, ending the 91-minute game.

Umandal, who played for Navy last season, had an efficient game, scoring 10 out of 18 attack attempts and had nine good receptions out of 14 attempts, while Intal played a good first game with the Cotabato Spikers, scoring nine points built on four attacks . , three aces, and two blocks after parting ways with longtime club Cignal.

“I can see that the players are happy, but I have to wait for the timeout in the third set to say that the game is not only about happiness. We have to correct it and make sure that they will stay focused,” AMC coach Odjie Mamon said in Filipino . “We will have two days to prepare for the next game. I will teach them the system and remind them of our patterns.

Josafat and Madz Gampong were also instrumental despite playing only in the first and third sets as they contributed eight and six points respectively. Dayandante spread 14 excellent sets as Fauzi Ismail, Wewe Medina, and Jayvee Sumagaysay added five points.

AMC gave up more errors, 26, compared to VNS’ 16 miscues. Cotabato Spikers dominated the attack with a disparity of 41-28, 12-4 in blocking, and 6-2 in serving ace.

Buslig was one bright spot for the Griffins with 12 points, while Ron Medalla scored only seven kills from 22 attempts.

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