Barbie San Andres made a sensational debut as Alpha Insurance kicked off the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference with a statement win over Savouge, 19-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22, on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The 5-foot-8 outside spiker led the team with 19 points, along with nine excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
His performance gave the Protectors — playing only their second conference in the men’s premier league — opened the Invitationals with a confidence-boosting victory against the Spin Doctors, bronze medalists in the previous two tournaments.
“Trust the process. Nag-start kami last conference, kulang na kulang kami sa preparation. Coming into this conference, maganda yung preparation. At the same time, may mga recruit kami na mga ace players talaga, so yung paghahanda talagang tinutukan namin,” said Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos.
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San Andres and Billie Anima emerged as the key performers in the clutch moments of all three tight sets the Protectors won, in the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings n’ Things, and Arena Plus.
In the third set, Charlee Magpayo tied the frame at 24 with a powerful running hit. San Andres responded with an equally forceful spike off the blockers, before Anima denied Shawie Caritativo at the net to give Alpha Insurance a 2-1 set lead, 26-24.
The duo delivered again in the fourth set, with the score tied at 22. San Andres unleashed a sharp kill, followed by Anima blocking Mark Calado for match point.
Caritativo’s spike attempt went wide, securing the Protectors’ victory in two hours and five minutes.
“Yung mindset po namin is kami yung nauuna, so minsan pag nahahabol kami, iniisip po namin na ito na yun, hindi namin bibitawan ito kasi kami na yung nauna. Kumbaga, binibigay na sa amin yung panalo, hindi na namin bibitawan. Yun yung iniisip namin sa mga crucial parts ng game,” said San Andres.
Alpha Insurance also benefited from strong contributions off the bench. JJ Javelona added 12 points, while Vince Himzon contributed 11 points.
NCAA Season 100 rookie MVP Rocky Motol had 10 points and 11 digs. Anima accounted for six of their 13 blocks, contributing two blocks for eight points.
Alpha Insurance aims to carry this momentum when it returns to action on Wednesday at the Paco Arena against defending champion Cignal.
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For Savouge, Calado led with 20 points and six digs, while Caritativo tallied 19 points and 22 excellent receptions.
The Spin Doctors will also seek redemption on Wednesday when they face 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge champion FEU-DN Steel.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Matches will also be streamed via spikersturf.ph.
