SAVOUGE overcame injuries to Shawie Caritativo and Lorenz Señoron to edge 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 yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The Spin Doctors suffered a major setback in the second set when Señoron went down with a left ankle injury. Their woes deepened early in the fifth when 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.
“Medyona-sad akokanina, kinabahankasisi Lorna Señoronnapilayan. TapossiShawiekanina, kumbagasabikoano ng nangyarisa team ko. Pero okay namankasina-survive pa rinnamin,” said Spin Doctors coach Sydney Calderon.
“Happy pa rinakosa result. A win is a win, ‘yunangimportante,” 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 RanzCajolo 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.
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.
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.
