Finals-bound Savouge completed a sweep of the semifinals with a straight-sets win over also-ran Alpha Insurance, 25-20, 25-15, 26-24, in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Sunday night at the Filoil Centre.
The Spin Doctors finished the round-robin semifinals at the No. 1 spot with a perfect 3-0 record. They will now gear up for their first-ever Finals appearance against Criss Cross, which secured the second spot with a 2-1 record, starting Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
“Before kami lumabas today sa dugout, ni-remind ko lang ‘yung mga players na maganda pa rin na matapos namin ‘yung semis… Matawid namin nang maayos para ma-sweep namin para mataas ‘yung momentum namin pagdating ng finals,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon.
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After dominating the first two sets, the Spin Doctors encountered stiff resistance from the Jau Umandal-led Protectors in the third frame before ultimately closing them out in the tight 69-minute contest.
Umandal tied the game twice at 23 and 24 to force a deuce, but Mark Calado delivered in the clutch — first breaking the deadlock with a sharp down-the-line hit before sealing the win for Savouge with a decisive ball touch.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila, lagi naman namin ‘yung pina-practice. In case na dikdikan kami, we have a system na kung kanino ibibigay ‘yung bola, paano namin siya tatrabahuhin, and as much as possible paano namin siya tatapusin,” Calderon said.
JP Bugaoan, Hero Austria, and Mark Calado each finished with nine points to lead the Spin Doctors. Meanwhile, Caritativo added eight markers and 15 excellent receptions in a balanced offensive attack that kept Alpha Insurance guessing throughout the match.
Vince Imperial dished out 12 excellent sets along with two points off the bench, while Rikko Marmeto tallied 12 excellent receptions.
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Meanwhile, the Protectors finished the Open Conference semifinals winless at 0-3 and will face AEP-Cabstars in the bronze series.
Umandal paced the Protectors with 13 points, while Edward Camposano produced a double-double of 12 points and 18 excellent receptions in a losing effort.
