Savouge RTU Basilan squandered a two-set lead but recovered and found its second wind in the decider to frustrate Alpha Omega, 25-16, 25-23, 19-25, 23-25, 15-10, and gain a share of the lead in Pool D of the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Paco Arena Friday night.
Renzel Antonio came off the bench to provide the spark in the fifth set, scoring on a smart looping tip over two Alpha Omega defenders to pad Savouge lead to 8-5 then coming through with a power blast in their ensuing offensive thrust for a four-point cushion.
Lorenz Señoron and Jaison Angeles then took over in the stretch to deliver the second straight win for the Golden Thunders and a share of the lead with the idle Chef on a Diet-FEU Tamaraws.
Razzel Palisoc, AC Guinto and Anfernee Curamen combined for the Elite Spikers’ big surge in the third and fourth sets but they virtually lost steam chasing the Golden Thunders that set up the second match that went the distance in the first two weeks of the season-ending conference of the country’s first and only men’s volley league organized by Sports Vision.
"At least nung fifth set, naipakita pa rin nila yung laro nila. Nung third at fourth set nawala kasi nawalan ng block at service," said Savouge head coach Sabtal Abdul.
Alpha Omega fell to 0-2.
Alnasim Amilbahar top-scored for the Golden Thunders with 15 points, Señoron finished with 14 markers to go with 12 excellent receptions, while Angeles added 10 points.
Kenneth Hernandez, who suffered a bad fall in the fourth set but continued to play until the end while limping, tossed 22 excellent sets for Savouge.
Palisoc delivered 19 points on 14 attacks and five blocks for the Elite Spikers, who also drew 11 points from Guinto to go with his 25 excellent receptions.
It was a big rebound for Savouge, which had appeared headed to a trouble-free march to their second victory after beating The Bayleaf Hotel Pirates in four last Oct. 25. But the Elite Spikers came into the third set in fighting form and stalled the Golden Thunders then scrambled at the finish in the fourth after blowing leads of as many as seven midway through.
Savouge aims for three in a row on Friday against PGJC-Navy, while Alpha Omega tries to break its spell against The Bayleaf Hotels on Nov. 12.
