Mothers are often the glue that holds families together — and for Savouge Aesthetics, that steadying presence is found in “Nanang” Hero Austria.
Austria, the Spin Doctors’ team captain, has been the constant positive voice in the team’s dugout, especially during the elimination round of the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, where they barely secured a Final Four berth with a 4-3 record.
Despite their shaky performance, Austria’s belief in his teammates never wavered. Now, they are reaping the rewards of their hard work, racing to a 3-0 start in the round-robin semifinals.
Their most recent victory was monumental — the biggest in franchise history — as they stunned defending champion Cignal in straight sets, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18, on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
For head coach Sydney Calderon, Austria may not have logged heavy minutes in this tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, Black Mamba, and Arena Plus.
Still, his significance to the team is immeasurable.
“Kaya tinatawag namin siyang Nanang kasi parang Ate siya ng team eh. Siya ‘yung nagga-guide sa mga player kapag may nada-down. Siya talaga ‘yung nagli-lift sa players. So sabi ko sa kanya, kailangan magpaka-captain ball ka,” shared Calderon after their big win over the Super Spikers.
“It doesn’t mean na captain ball ka kailangan malakas ka, hindi, dapat overall ka. Dapat marunong kang mag-lift ng team mo kahit down na down. Sayo magsisimula kasi kapag nakita nila na maganda ang laro mo, sisipag din yan lahat,” she continued.
“Happy naman ako kanina na hindi ako binigo ni Nanang.”
(C) Spikers Turf Images
In their stunning upset of Cignal, Austria didn’t just lead from the sidelines — he led on the court.
The University of Perpetual Help product became one of Calderon’s surprise moves, earning a spot in the starting lineup while Mark Calado shifted to the opposite position, a combination that threw off the Super Spikers.
No matter how many minutes he plays, Austria remains ready to give everything he has in whatever role he’s assigned, as long as it benefits the Spin Doctors.
“Always akong ready kasi kumbaga sa amin naman, every time na may training ‘yun naman lagi ang sinasabi ni coach na huwag kaming maging kampante sa labas,” said Austria.
“Kung ano ‘yung ginagawang kayod ng first six, mas doblehin naming mga second six. That’s why nakakapag-execute lang din ako nang maganda, kasi sobrang bilis ko lang din maka-fit sa loob at maka-adapt kung ano man ‘yung instruction ni coach sa amin.”
Riding high with a 3-0 semifinals record, Savouge now aims to clinch its first-ever Finals appearance when it battles Criss Cross tomorrow at the Ynares Center Montalban.
And as long as there is still volleyball to be played, Austria and the rest of the Spin Doctors refuse to slow down.
“Itong semis, nagkaroon lang kami nang magandang composure at saka talaga ‘yung pokus ng bawat isa sa goal talaga,” Austria said.
“Yun talaga naging proud ako kasi grabe talaga ‘yung sakripisyo ng bawat isa sa amin. Nandoon kaming lahat sa ‘wala munang aalis, wala munang magsasarap buhay, dito tayo — trabaho, trabaho, trabaho’.”
