The Savouge Spin Doctors. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Savouge flexed its might with a commanding 25-22, 25-21, 25-16 victory over AEP Cabstars, matching Criss Cross’ fourth straight win in the first round of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference preliminaries at the Filoil Centre on Friday.
The Spin Doctors imposed their power game to dominate the Cabstars, staying unbeaten and keeping pace with the King Crunchers, who earlier overcame a shaky start before turning back the 3B Event Masters, 22-25, 25-10, 25-13, 25-15.
With identical 4-0 records, the stage is now set for a mouth-watering clash between the league’s two hottest teams.
Criss Cross and Savouge collide on Sunday at 5 p.m. in what looms as the marquee duel of the first round – a battle not only for the solo lead but also for the bragging rights as the lone unbeaten squad heading into the next phase of the eliminations.
“So far nakapag-adjust naman kami, kasi nung start ng first set medyo slow kami, maram kaming errors,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon.
“Nag-try kaming mag-serve talaga ng mabigat, pero ‘yun nga nag-cause siya ng errors. Pero good thing naman nakabawi kami, naka-catch up kami sa latter part so happy ako sa performance ng mga bata,” Calderon added.
READ: Spikers’ Turf: Criss Cross overcomes slow start to defeat 3B
Despite their struggle from the service line, where they converted just one ace, the Spin Doctors made up for it with a dominant 44-35 edge in attacks and a commanding 12-2 advantage in blocks, controlling the match and asserting their authority over the Cabstars upfront.
Mark Calado top scored for Savouge with 14 points built on 11 attacks, two blocks, and one ace in the one-hour, 19-minute victory.
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Louie Ramirez tallied 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks, laced with eight excellent receptions, while Shawie Caritativo finished with 10 points.
JC Enarciso steered the Spin Doctors’ offense with 13 excellent sets despite playing only in the first two sets of the match.
Meanwhile, AEP-Cabstars absorbed its second consecutive loss to slip to 1-3 in a tie with 3B at fourth spot.
Jay Rack De La Noche paced the Cabstars anew with 13 points, while Jared Schnake marked his debut with 10 points.
Vince Lorenzo registered 17 excellent receptions and four excellent digs for AEP, which will face 3B at 1 p.m. on Sunday.