With Savouge’s unexpected rise to the podium in the Spikers’ Turf, the Spin Doctors are preparing for even tougher battles in the 2025 Open Conference, which kicks off on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Savouge made waves in the 2024 Invitational Conference, storming through an 11-team field to clinch the bronze medal — an achievement few expected at the start of the tournament.
Now competing in a more compact but highly competitive six-team field, head coach and team owner Sydney Calderon acknowledges the greater challenge ahead but embraces the opportunity.
“Given na mas mataas ‘yung expectations sa amin this conference, sabi ko na lang sa team na we’ll just have to maintain at least ‘yung podium finish namin last conference, which is umabot sa battle for bronze,” Calderon said during the league’s media day on Monday.
“‘Yun lang ‘yung goal namin, pero susubukan pa rin namin na umangat this conference.”
Savouge has retained its core from last conference’s bronze-medal run while adding three key players to strengthen its lineup.
Former Cignal HD Spikers standout Mark Calado headlines the new recruits, joining forces with wing spiker Madz Gampong and middle blocker Angelo Reyes.
The team will continue to be led by captain Hero Austria, alongside rising stars Shawie Caritativo, Deanne de Pedro, Louis Gamban, Giles Torres, and Charlee Magpayo.
Calado, who showcased his skills with Cignal last conference, believes Savouge’s chemistry will be its greatest asset in the season-opening tournament of the men’s premier league.
“Nakita kong quality sa team nila is ‘yung samahan nila at ugali nila sa paglalaro, to the point na talagang feeling mo, hindi sila magpapatalo,” said Calado, recalling how Savouge stunned Cignal last conference.
“Different schools din naman kami eh. Iba-iba ng school, ‘yung iba UAAP, ‘yung iba NCAA. Parang nandoon pa rin ‘yung pride nila na lumaban nang talagang kahit gipitan na, maaasahan mo pa rin. ‘Yun ‘yung nakita kong strength nila sa team.”
Savouge begins its double round-robin preliminary campaign on Friday at 1:00 PM against PGJC-Navy.
