For three consecutive conferences, Savouge has flirted with greatness — a team brimming with talent, capable of deep runs, but somehow always falling short of the ultimate prize.
Back-to-back bronze medals and a fourth-place finish in last year’s Invitationals showed promise, but the Spin Doctors still had something missing.
Now, that missing piece might finally be in place.
Over the offseason, Savouge reshaped its roster, landing a collection of seasoned performers ready to turn potential into results. Former Cignal standouts JP Bugaoan, Louie Ramirez, and KC Andrade joined the fold, alongside Navy’s Joeven Dela Vega and ex-D’Navigators-Iloilo playmaker Kim Dayandante. These aren’t just new names — they are proven competitors with championship experience and international exposure, the kind of polish that comes from high-stakes battles abroad.
“It’s championship material, ‘yung team ko ngayon,” said head coach Sydney Calderon after Savouge’s opening victory over 3B in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference. “Sana, hopefully. Malaking tulong sila Louie Ramirez talaga. Nag-add siya ng firepower sa team namin, and then si Bugaoan din malaking tulong sa firepower saka defense namin.”
Ramirez, a former Finals MVP with the Super Spikers, immediately made his mark, scoring nine points in a dominant straight-set win over the Event Masters. Bugaoan, a four-time Best Middle Blocker, added seven points — both playing only the first two sets of the quick one-hour, 20-minute match.
Calderon said the integration of the new recruits has been seamless, helped by familiar faces already on the squad. “Ang good thing kasi with Louie Ramirez is may mga former teammates siya dito galing Perpetual. Si JP naman, nandiyan si Calado, nag-ga-guide sa kanya. So far, onting push na lang kami sa gelling nila, but I’m happy kung ano ‘yung naging performance nila,” she explained.
Even with heightened expectations, Calderon insists the team remains focused, eyes locked on a singular goal: a legitimate championship run.
“Hindi na namin muna ina-ano ‘yung expectations sa labas, pero isa lang ‘yung masasabi ko. Seryoso ‘yung team na makapag-finals this conference,” she said.
