Savouge Aesthetics flirted with disaster but found a way to strike back, pulling off a reverse sweep over Alpha Insurance, 21-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-14, 15-9, in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Filoil Centre in San Juan Friday.
In a duel of semis-bound teams in the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Black Mamba, Premiere EMS, and ArenaPlus, the Spin Doctors regrouped just in time and re-asserted their dominance over the Protectors to pound out the come-from-behind win and raise their record to 6-2.
“Nung third set, sinabi ko lang sa kanila na huwag tayong magpagulpi. Lumaban tayo! Hindi tayo pinalaki ng Sexbomb na hindi tayo lalaban. So ayun, sabi ko kumuha lang tayo ng momentum sa third and fourth set, dire-diretso na yan,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon, whose wards remained at second behind the unbeaten Criss Cross King Crunchers.
After the Spin Doctors dropped the first two sets, Calderon made a key adjustment by shifting Mark Calado to the outside spiker position and inserting Joeven Dela Vega at opposite.
The move paid dividends, as the Spin Doctors seized the momentum and forced a deciding fifth set.
Still, Savouge had to fend off a late surge from the Protectors, but broke away from a slim 10-9 lead with a decisive 5-0 finishing run to seal the victory.
Shawie Caritativo spearheaded the Spin Doctors’ explosive closing stretch, delivering clutch hits to wrap up the win in one hour and 50 minutes.
Middle blocker JP Bugaoan surprised with a team-high 17 points on 12 attacks, four blocks, and an ace while Dela Vega added 12 points.
Calado contributed 11 points, Giles Torres had 10, while Caritativo finished with nine points, 20 excellent receptions, and six digs.
The Spin Doctors also pounced on the Protectors’ 32 errors, while yielding just 18 free points.
JM Ronquillo led Alpha Insurance with 16 points while Edward Camposano and Billie Anima had 15 points apiece.
Both teams will be back on Tuesday at the Paco Arena with Savouge facing VNS Always Bright Laticrete at 1 p.m. and Alpha Insurance battling AEP Cabstars at 3 p.m.
