SEMIFINALS-BOUND Savouge overcame a stern challenge from also-ran VNS Always Bright Laticrete, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20, to secure solo second place in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Fresh off a thrilling reverse sweep of the Alpha Insurance Protectors last Friday, the Spin Doctors leaned on their depth this time in a non-bearing contest, fielding most of their reserves to seize their third consecutive win and lock up second place in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Arena Plus, Alpha Insurance, Black Mamba, and Premiere EMS.
Regardless of the result of their final elimination match against the AEP-Cabstars this Friday at the same venue, Savouge will finish the preliminaries in second place, as the third-running Cabstars (5-4)—who defeated Alpha Insurance earlier in the day—and the fourth-placed Protectors (4-5) can no longer catch up with just one game remaining in the eliminations.
“’Yon talaga yung purpose today na bigyan ng chance yung iba naming players na makapaglaro para ma-develop na rin yung confidence nila para sa papalapit na semifinals. And at the same time, marami pa rin kami adjustments na kailangan gawin, kaya talagang rinotate namin sila para ma-exhaust lahat ng players namin today,” Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon said.
In the third set, the Griffins stayed within striking distance, trailing by just one, 14-13. However, Savouge broke the game wide open with a decisive 8-2 surge—capped by a JP Bugaoan block and a CJ Segui attack error—to put VNS in an insurmountable 22-15 hole.
From there, the Griffins struggled to recover, as a Mark Calado down-the-line hit, a Winfred Santos service error, and a game-winning quick attack from Angelo Reyes sealed the Spin Doctors’ straight-sets victory.
Savouge’s reserves—Louie Gamban, John Daniel Diwa, and Renzel Antonio—sparked the team’s strong start, helping the Spin Doctors build a comfortable two-set advantage. Gamban delivered three of the team’s last four points in a tightly contested second set.
Calado led Savouge with 10 points on nine attacks and one block in just two sets played, while Angelo Reyes added seven points built on six attacks and one block. Bugaoan also chipped in seven markers.
Alas Pilipinas Men member Louie Ramirez, who exited midway through the third set due to a minor left shoulder injury, finished with six points, while Gamban and Antonio contributed five and four points, respectively.
John Enarciso orchestrated the offense with 14 excellent sets.
On the other hand, VNS remained winless through nine games, with the Griffins aiming to end their campaign on a high note when they face the Protectors on the same date and venue.
Segui was the lone double-digit scorer for VNS with 12 points on 11 attacks and one block, while Santos added seven points, along with four excellent receptions and two excellent digs.
