SAVOUGE Aesthetics checked a three-game skid, hacking out a hard-fought 25-17, 28-26, 25-22 victory over Philippine Air Force to revie its semifinal aspirations in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Philsports Arena yesterday.
The Spin Doctors dominated the first set and persevered through tight moments in the next two to improve their record to 2-3 for fifth place while eliminating the Airmen, who absorbed their fifth consecutive defeat after an initial win.
“Actually, I told them na gawin nilang challenge ‘yung pagkatalo. That’s a part of it, I know naman kasi ‘yung team ko hindi kasing stable ng ibang teams so that is why nagte-training na lang kami, nag-aaral kami,” said Savouge head coach Sammy Acaylar.
After a virtual stroll in the opener, the Spin Doctors staved off defeat in the next as Charlee Magpayo countered a Bryan Jaleco hit with a quick attack to force a tie at 26. Norwel Sanama and Jeremy Pedrosa then stepped up and delivered the blows to lift the Spin Doctors to a 2-0 set advantage.
Despite leading 24-19 in the third frame, the Spin Doctos faced a late scare as the Airmen saved three match points. However, Lorenz Señoron took over and sealed the win with a decisive point off a ball touch, ending the match in 84 minutes.
“Hangga’t maaari, ‘yung emotion saka confidence nila ‘wag mawala. This is why dinaan namin sa tuneup games kaya medyo lumakas ang loob ng team ko. I’m happy naman,” added Acaylar.
Señoron posted a team-high 13 points, 12 of which came from attacks, while Charlee Magpayo came up with 11 points on 10 attacks and one block.
