The Savouge Spin Doctors. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Savouge kept its breakthrough title hopes alive with a 25-22, 25-21, 25-19 win over Criss Cross in Game 2 of the 2026 Spikers' Turf Conference Finals, Friday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
It was a reversal of the opener, where the Spin Doctors lost, 20-25, 28-26, 18-25, 20-25.
Savouge already proved that Criss Cross wasn't exactly invincible, dealing the latter its first loss of the tournament on April 8, 25-22, 19-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-13.
While their victory came in a straight-set fashion, Mark Calado acknowledged that it did not come easy, crediting the whole team's effort.
READ: Spikers' Turf: AEP-Cabstars down Alpha Insurance to clinch bronze
"'Yung game namin ngayon, 'di talaga siya madali. Talagang trumabaho lahat, 'yung effort ng bawat isa, ng coaches, ng teammates ko, sobrang thankful ako kasi talagang na-execute namin 'yung training namin kahapon," said Calado, who notched 15 points to lead the Savouge scoring.
JP Bugaoan, Giles Torres, and Louie Ramirez chipped in 10 markers each, while Sherwin Caritativo added seven points.
Behind that impressive attacking was John Enarciso, who tallied 22 excellent sets, as Savouge registered 46 spikes; in contrast, Criss Cross was held to 35, despite edging the winning side in blocking, 12-9.
Meanwhile, four-time MVP Jude Garcia was held to 10 points, after erupting for 26 in the Finals opener. Alche Gupiteo contributed 10 points in the loss.
Game 3 of the Finals is on Sunday, April 19.