Mark Calado continues to prove his worth for Savouge after anchoring the Spin Doctors’ surge heading into the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals.
His consistency and steady presence on offense allowed Savouge to build momentum with a four-game winning streak before plunging in the Final Four.
Calado delivered the goods in the Spin Doctors’ last two victories, and his effort earned him the distinction as the Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of March 24 to 27.
Savouge enters the next round brimming with confidence following its back-to-back romp over the AEP-Cabstars and VNS Always Bright Laticrete.
Calado powered the Spin Doctors with 16 points in a hard-earned 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-21 victory over the Cabstars on Friday.
The Far Eastern University product’s heroics came on the heels of his 10-point contribution to help Savouge put on a volleyball clinic over VNS, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20, in one hour and 20 minutes, last Tuesday.
He edged his teammate and last week’s winner JP Bugaoan, Criss Cross’ Alche Gupiteo, Cabstars’ Jay Rack De La Noche, and EJ Casana for the recognition deliberated by print and online media covering the country’s premier men’s volleyball league, organized by Sports Vision.
Calado has underscored the need to improve, acknowledging the strength of league-leader Criss Cross - the only team to defeat them in the elimination round – as the Spin Doctors brace for a tough round-robin semis.
"Sa naging campaign namin ngayong elimination, siyempre mahirap din kahit papaano. Pero marami pa talaga kaming kailangang i-improve, lalo na nang natalo kami sa Criss Cross, dalawang beses," said Calado.
"Tapos dapat talaga hindi kami bumaba. Kasi 'pag bumaba 'yung laro namin, lalo na ngayong semis na talagang bugbugan na. Siyempre 'yung pressure siguro, nando'n talaga. Kaya hopefully, ma-improve pa namin 'yung mga kailangan namin, lalo na sa service and sa pasa namin at saka blockings," he added.
Calado is confident his team has what it takes to advance into the biggest stage for a shot at the elusive crown.
"Confident ako kasi siyempre lahat naman kasi nagko-contribute sa team namin. Kaya talagang 'yung tiwala namin sa isa't isa, nando'n talaga," he shared.
After falling short of a podium finish in the 2025 Invitational, Calado and the rest of the 2025 Open and 2024 Invitational Conference bronze medalist crew are determined to break the ceiling.
"Motivation ko talaga ngayon. Kailangan talaga naming manalo. And siyempre, siguro 'yung kailangan magtulungan, 'yun ang pinaka-motivation ko ngayon. And hopefully talaga makapasok kami sa championship."
Matches in the intense men’s volleyball action are streamed live and on demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.
