Savouge rode a wave of momentum into the semifinals of the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, closing out the elimination round with a hard-fought 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-21 victory over fellow semifinalist AEP-Cabstars on Friday at the Paco Arena.
The win extended the Spin Doctors’ streak to four straight and secured an 8-2 finish in the eliminations.
Despite missing key contributors Louie Ramirez and head coach Sydney Calderon, Savouge held their ground, splitting the first two sets with a Cabstars squad also without Jared Schnake and Vince Abrot, before dominating the next two to seal the match.
“Sobrang magandang experience ‘yung nangyari sa amin sa first round and second round. ‘Yung mga kakulangan namin for the past games na talo kami, medyo kino-cover up na namin ngayon,” said assistant coach Macky Cariño.
“Wino-work out talaga namin all the time kasi after ng Holy Week, it’s the semifinals na. Different strategies and atmosphere na ‘yun, so ngayon, talagang kailangan i-polish ‘yung dapat naming gawin para sa semifinals,” he added.
The offensive load fell on the shoulders of Mark Calado, Shawie Caritativo, and JP Bugaoan in Ramirez’s absence due to a left shoulder injury. Each delivered double-digit outputs that steadied Savouge’s attack and maintained control during critical stretches.
Calado led the team with 16 points, 15 from attacks, while Caritativo flirted with a triple-double, tallying 15 points, 26 excellent receptions, and nine excellent digs.
Veteran middle blocker Bugaoan also shone on both ends, finishing with 14 points, including nine attacks and five of Savouge’s 11 kill blocks in the one-hour, 41-minute victory in this tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, ArenaPlus, Black Mamba, and Premiere EMS.
Setting the tone for the Spin Doctors’ balanced offense was JM Paglaon, who delivered 19 excellent sets with two points, while Louis Gamban and Joeven Dela Vega contributed eight and seven markers, respectively.
For AEP-Cabstars, the loss dropped their elimination round record to 5-5, placing them fourth in the standings. Jay Rack De La Noche carried the scoring load with 23 points, including 21 attacks and two kill blocks, filling the gap left by Schnake and Abrot. Nas Gwaza and Michael Doria added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
EJ Casana orchestrated the Cabstars’ offense with 27 excellent sets and two kill blocks, while Vince Lorenzo anchored the defense with 25 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs, though their efforts fell short against a relentless Savouge squad.
