When the stakes are high and the pressure mounts, Shawie Caritativo thrives. The 23-year-old outside spiker has been a revelation for Savouge in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, shining brightest when her team needed her the most.
The journey began with a stunning upset early in the elimination round, where Savouge toppled the mighty Cignal, reigning Open Conference champions, in a five-set epic: 19-25, 27-25, 19-25, 25-23, 15-13. It was a performance that not only shocked the league but also introduced Caritativo as a force to be reckoned with.
Delivering 19 points, including clutch hits that sealed the match, Caritativo cemented her place as Savouge’s game-changer.
Fast forward to Friday evening, with a semifinal berth hanging in the balance, Caritativo stepped up once again. The 6-foot dynamo from Rosales, Pangasinan, led the Spin Doctors to their ultimate goal of cracking the top four.
Against collegiate powerhouse De La Salle-EcoOil, Savouge showcased their mettle with a commanding 25-23, 29-27, 25-18 triumph at the Ynares Sports Arena. Caritativo’s standout performance ignited celebrations among the squad, owned and coached by Sydney Calderon.
Caritativo tallied 16 points, including 14 spikes, one block, and an ace. Her defense was just as critical, contributing 10 excellent receptions and five digs, proving her versatility on the court.
“Motivated lang talaga ako sa sinabi namin na gusto namin makaabot sa podium this Spikers’ Turf conference kaya pinagtiyagaan talaga namin sa training,” shared Caritativo, a former Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week.
The win didn’t come easy. To outlast a formidable foe like the Green Oilers, Savouge endured grueling training sessions for a week straight—without a single day of rest.
“Hindi kami nagpahinga sa training kahit isang araw kahit sobrang sakit na ng katawan namin, diretso pa rin dedma lang kasi gusto talaga namin makapasok sa semis,” Caritativo revealed, earning Player of the Game honors for her efforts.
Her resilience and determination inspired her teammates, and the hard work paid off as Savouge clinched a semifinals spot.
“Worth it talaga lahat ng pagod kasi nanalo kami dito sa game na ito at pasok na sa semis. Hindi namin iniisip kung masakit katawan namin, worth it naman lahat,” Caritativo said, beaming with pride.
Now, Savouge moves on to the next stage, joining Criss Cross, Cignal, and FEU-DN Steel in the semifinals. The challenge escalates with the entry of a foreign guest team, but the Spin Doctors remain undeterred.
With the same grit and relentless work ethic, Caritativo and Savouge are determined to prove they belong among the best.
“Pagtatrabahuhan namin sa training tapos iaapply namin sa laro tapos ipapakita namin ang tunay na Savouge,” declared Caritativo.
