Savouge and Alpha Insurance stamped their authority in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, leaving contrasting fortunes for VNS Always Bright Laticrete and 3B, Wednesday at Filoil Centre.
Savouge dismantled VNS Always Bright Laticrete in dominant fashion, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22, storming into a share of the top spot alongside Criss Cross with identical 3-0 records.
From the opening serve, the Spin Doctors dictated the tempo, overpowering the Griffins 47-31 in attacks, 9-6 in blocks, and 3-2 in aces.
“Happy ako kasi so far, nasa 85 -percent na kami na nandun na kami, mag-a-adapt na kami talaga kung ano ‘yung system namin,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon after the quick 1-hour, 14-minute win.
“Compared to our last season, talagang sobrang laking difference kasi last season, first game kaagad namin talo. But this one is dominant kaagad ‘yung performance. So nagbunga ‘yung pinaghirapan din talaga ng mga players.”
Louie Ramirez led the way with 10 points on seven attacks, two kill blocks, and an ace, while Joeven Dela Vega and Giles Torres added eight apiece.
Mark Calado contributed seven, and reserves JP Bugaoan and Louis Gamban chipped in six and five markers, respectively.
Vince Imperial ran the offense smoothly with 20 excellent sets. Lawrence Diones and Rikko Marmeto, meanwhile, anchored the defense with nine digs and eight receptions each.
The Griffins, meanwhile, dropped their fourth straight match to remain at the bottom of the six-team tournament.
Terrence Marticion paced VNS with 10 points, while Jerzy Santos added six off the bench.
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
In the nightcap, Alpha Insurance roared back to form, snapping a two-game skid with a straight-set victory over 3B, 25-21, 25-15, 26-24.
Cian Silang orchestrated a playmaking masterclass, dishing out 24 excellent sets and adding a point of his own to guide the Protectors back to the win column.
Following back-to-back losses to Criss Cross and Savouge, Alpha Insurance stormed through the first two sets before holding off a late surge in the third.
JM Ronquillo, under Silang’s precise direction, turned a 21-all deadlock into a 24-22 lead in the decider. Then JJ Javelona and Rommelito Baptista sealed the win with a clever push and a decisive block, respectively.
“Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na kailangan bigyan natin ng respeto ‘yung kalaban. Hindi porket bago sa liga ‘yan, lalaruin na lang natin,” said Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos.
Ronquillo powered the Protectors with 20 points on 18-of-27 attacks and two aces, while Jau Umandal and Edward Camposano contributed nine markers each.
Reymond Sabanal added seven in the team’s second win, bringing Alpha Insurance’s record to 2-2.
3B, meanwhile, struggled to replicate its five-set triumph over VNS last Sunday, dropping to 1-2 in the standings. Carl Berdal, limited to 10 points, and teammates Israel Encina and Christhian Olaes, who scored eight and seven points respectively, could not prevent the loss.
Kenneth Daynata also managed just six points after his 20-point outing in their previous match.
