The Savouge Spin Doctors managed to avoid a reverse sweep by the Alpha Insurance Protectors, withstanding injury setbacks to get the five-set win in the Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
Savouge overcame injuries to Shawie Caritativo and Lorenz Señoron to edge past Alpha Insurance in a grueling five-set battle, 25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 20-25, 15-13, securing a bounce-back win in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The Spin Doctors suffered a major setback in the second set when Lorenz Señoron went down with a left ankle injury. Their woes deepened early in the fifth when Shawie Caritativo sustained the same injury after an awkward landing from a block attempt.
Despite the adversity, Savouge leaned on crucial performances from Mark Calado, Angelo Reyes, and Hero Austria to fend off the upset-seeking Protectors and improve to a 2-1 record in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“Medyo na-sad ako kanina, kinabahan kasi si Lorna Señoron napilayan. Tapos si Shawie kanina, kumbaga sabi ko ano ng nangyari sa team ko. Pero okay naman kasi na-survive pa rin namin,” said Spin Doctors head coach Sydney Calderon.
“Happy pa rin ako sa result. A win is a win, ‘yun ang importante,” she added.
Trailing 9-8 in the decisive set, Savouge took control after capitalizing on Alpha Insurance’s errors. Reyes delivered a momentum-shifting spike off an overreceive, giving his team an 11-9 advantage.
JJ Javelona momentarily stopped the bleeding for Alpha Insurance with a cross-court hit, but Calado responded with a clutch combination play and a powerful spike through three blockers, restoring a 13-10 cushion for Savouge.
The Protectors made one last push as Ranz Cajolo and Edward Camposano delivered back-to-back hits to trim the gap to 13-12. However, Calado once again came through with a crucial through-the-block hit, bringing Savouge to match point at 14-12.
BJ Anima saved one match point, but Austria—who stepped in for Caritativo early in the decider—sealed the hard-fought win with an off-the-block hit, closing the two-hour and 11-minute thriller in this tournament also supported by Arena Plus and Mikasa.
“Expected talaga namin na hindi magiging madali ‘yung laban namin. Kasi knowing ‘yung Alpha Insurance, some of them naging players ko rin sa Savouge. Sabi ko na lang, I know hindi magiging madali makuha ‘yung panalo,” said Calderon.
Caritativo led the way with 17 points, tallying 13 attacks, two service aces, and two blocks while also contributing 19 excellent receptions and four excellent digs in an all-around effort as Player of the Game.
Calado, who came off the bench in the third but started in the remaining sets, finished with 14 points, while Reyes and Louis Gamban chipped in nine each. Giles Torres added eight markers.
John Michael Paglaon orchestrated Savouge’s offense with 12 excellent sets and two points, while Rikko Marmeto provided stability on defense with 15 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs.
Savouge aims for a second straight win when they face Criss Cross on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
Meanwhile, Alpha Insurance fell to 0-3 but showed signs of progress after securing its first two set wins of the tournament, following consecutive sweeps in its first two matches.
Vincent Nadera led all scorers with 26 points, including 23 attacks, two aces, and a block. Javelona backed him up with 17 points—14 off attacks—along with six excellent digs.
Team captain Camposano, however, was limited to just nine points in the five-set defeat.
Alpha Insurance will look to notch its first victory when it takes on VNS-Laticrete on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.