Savouge primed up for the grueling semifinal grind by repulsing Final Four rival VNS-Laticrete, 25-19, 25-18, 25-22, to wrap up the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference double-round eliminations at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum late Wednesday.
The third-seeded Spin Doctors pulled away late in the third set to complete the sweep and head into the post-season play with a 6-4 record in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
With VNS threatening to extend the match, Savouge cashed in on a lucky break when the Griffins’ sloppy execution led to three errors, igniting a decisive 4-0 run that put the Spin Doctors ahead, 22-18.
Vince Imperial committed a service error which broke the Griffins’ scoring spell, but Mark Calado hammered one off a combination play to restore the Savouge lead to four. Calado’s jump serve in the ensuing play was caught by the net, but JD Diwa scored a quick attack that pushed Savouge to match point, 24-20.
Rash Nursiddik saved two match points for the Griffins, but Shawie Caritativo soared high for an emphatic off-the-block attack to hand the Spin Doctors the victory – and a big boost heading to the semis phase of the tournament supported by ArenaPlus and Mikasa.
“Nagbigay ako ng playing time sa iba kasi that will be an opportunity for me na inaassess ko sila para pagdating sa pitpitan na laro, ready na ang lahat,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon, who utilized her bench throughout the match.
“Sabi ko lang sa team pagpasok namin sa semifinals, masyado kasi naming sineryoso ‘yung second round ng elims, good vibes na lang kami pagdating ng semifinals,” she added.
Calado finished with a game-high 18 points, all from attacks, and added 10 excellent receptions to spike another superb all-around game, while Giles Torres added 11 points, including four of the team’s seven blocks, in just two sets of play to help anchor their one-hour, 14-minute victory.
JC Enarciso tossed 14 excellent sets, while Rikko Marmeto and Bhim Diones registered 14 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs, respectively for the Spin Doctors.
On the other hand, VNS, which already secured the fourth seed after Alpha Insurance’s straight-set loss to defending champion Cignal earlier in the day, ended the elims with a 3-7 record.
CJ Segui led the way for VNS with 15 points on 13 attacks, one block, and an ace. He also shone defensively with 18 excellent receptions, while Nursiddik had 10 points on eight attacks and two rejections.
Bryan Jaleco and Jayvee Sumagaysay each added seven markers for the Griffins.
Meanwhile, the round-robin semis, headed by arch-rivals unbeaten Criss Cross and defending champion Cignal, will kick off on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
