MANILA -- Savouge got back on track in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, sweeping VNS-Laticrete, 25-16, 25-20, 25-23, to wrap up the first round of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Coming off a tough five-set loss to Criss Cross, the Spin Doctors vented their ire on VNS and dominated the first two sets. They then showed their poise in the third, erasing a slim three-point deficit to clinch the win in straight sets.
Savouge thus kept its hold of the No. 3 spot with a 3-2 record in the tournament organized by Sports Vision behind the unbeaten Cignal and Criss Cross, both toting 4-0 marks.
"Di pa rin nawawala ‘yung sa endgame namin na alam namin lamang kami, tapos nagiging complacent talaga ‘yung mga players. ‘Yun lang ‘yung gusto ko talagang mabago," said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon.
Madz Gampong of Savouge in action against VNS-Laticrete in the the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, March 5, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media
CJ Segui tried to will VNS back into the match as he delivered back-to-back points to tie the score at 22. But Jan Mangulabnan committed a costly error before Segui’s attack sailed out, enabling the Spin Doctors to move at match point, 24-22.
Charlee Magpayo made a service fault in the ensuing play as VNS staved off the outright setback but John Diwa sneaked in for a quick attack to dash the Griffins' hopes for a turnaround in the tournament also supported by Arena Plus and Mikasa.
"Good thing is meron pang round two, so kailangan talaga maalis namin ‘yun. We will really work hard on it sa training," added Calderon.
Mark Calado top-scored for the Spin Doctors with 18 points on 16-of-30 attacks and finished with two blocks, while Sherwin Cartiativo dished out an 11-point, 10-excellent reception, and five-excellent dig performance to help anchor their victory.
John Diwa chipped in 11 markers, including five kill blocks, while Giles Torres recorded three kill blocks to finish with 10 markers.
Madz Gampong made his debut for Savouge and scored seven points.
John Kenneth Hernandez came up with 15 excellent sets, while Rikko Marmeto posted 10 excellent digs for Savouge in the one-hour, 18-minute contest.
The Spin Doctors aim to make it two wins in a row against the PGJC-Navy Sealions on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena.
On the other hand, VNS absorbed its fourth loss to drop to a 1-4 record just days after securing its first win of the tourney against Alpha Insurance.
Segui paced the Griffins with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks to go along with 14 excellent receptions, while KC Culabat added nine markers, 14 excellent receptions, and three excellent digs.
VNS will take on defending champion Cignal, also on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.