Savouge flexed its dominance, securing its first-ever victory over a short-handed PGJC-Navy, 25-18, 25-14, 25-21, for back-to-back wins in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The Spin Doctors controlled the first two sets before grinding out a tight third-set win, improving their record to 4-2 and solidifying their hold on third place in the standings.
With the score tied at 21-all in the third frame, Jeric Carangian committed a service error, followed by Mark Calado breaking through Navy’s blockers to give Savouge a 23-21 lead.
John Ashley Jacob appeared to have scored off the block, but a successful challenge from the Spin Doctors revealed that the ball had not touched any of their blockers, putting them at match point, 24-21.
Giles Torres then hammered a floating ball to seal the victory — Savouge’s first against the Sealions in three conferences — after just one hour and eight minutes of play.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Happy kasi ‘yun naman ang goal namin. Dapat pagpasok namin ng round two, kung ano ‘yung performance namin nung round one, dapat mas bonggahan namin,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon.
“So sad lang kasi wala si (Joeven) Dela Vega, si (Greg) Dolor, which is mga key players nila. We’re really expecting sana nandun sila kasi sa lahat ng mga teams talaga, Navy talaga ‘yung may sumpa kami dito. For three conferences, ‘di kami nananalo sa kanila eh,” she added.
Calado led the charge for the Spin Doctors with 15 points, all from attacks. Shawie Caritativo contributed 10 points, along with five excellent digs and four excellent receptions.
Torres added nine points, while JD Diwa finished with seven markers. Louis Gamban and Madz Gampong chipped in six points apiece in the victory.
Setter John Hernandez orchestrated the offense with 12 excellent sets, while Rikko Marmeto anchored the defense with 10 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions.
Savouge will face defending champion Cignal on Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the same venue, aiming to close in on the No. 2 spot in the standings.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Meanwhile, Navy suffered its fourth consecutive loss, dropping to 1-5 in the tournament.
Jacob and Carangian led the Sealions with nine points each.
Navy looks to snap its four-game skid against Alpha Insurance on Wednesday at 1:00 PM.
