Savouge lived to fight another day.
The Spin Doctors leaned on a balanced offensive attack to turn back the Criss Cross King Crunchers, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, and force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals on Friday at the Filoil Centre.
Savouge and Criss Cross will battle one last time for the championship this Sunday at the same San Juan venue.
It was a strong bounce-back performance for the Spin Doctors, who dropped Game 1, 20-25, 28-26, 18-25, 20-25, last Wednesday.
(C) PBA images
“Before we started ‘yung actual training namin yesterday, ang naging tanong ko lang sa team: ‘Is this going to be the last day of our training or are we going to extend it until Saturday, and then we go for Game 3 on Sunday?’ Sagot naman sa’kin lahat ng players, gustong-gusto pa rin nila lumaban,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon.
“So sabi ko, kayang-kaya naman natin, so nag-adjust lang talaga kami sa defense patterns and blockings namin. Nilinis lang talaga namin siya in less than 24 hours lang ata namin ‘yun ginawa, and good thing talagang ‘yung mga players sobrang tiyaga rin nila sa mga adjustments na ginawa ko sa team. Sobrang galing.”
While Mark Calado carried the load in Game 1, his teammates responded in Game 2 when their season was on the line.
They collectively answered with a simple message: not today.
After coming off the bench in Game 1, JC Enarciso was once again called upon and made a huge impact in a different role.
Enarciso delivered 22 excellent sets, helping the Spin Doctors produce four players in double figures — a significant improvement from Game 1, where only two reached that mark despite a four-set match.
With Criss Cross closing in at 15-17 in the third set, Savouge pulled away to complete the straight-sets win, with Calado taking charge down the stretch.
Calado accounted for four of the Spin Doctors’ final eight points to seal the victory after one hour and 24 minutes.
“’Yung game namin ngayon, hindi talaga siya madali. Talagang trumabaho lahat, ‘yung effort ng bawat isa, ng coaches, ng teammates ko… Sobrang thankful ako kasi talagang na-execute namin ‘yung training namin kahapon,” said Calado, who finished with 15 points on 14-of-25 attacks and one block.
The trio of JP Bugaoan, Louie Ramirez, and Giles Torres each added 10 points, while Shawie Caritativo provided steady support with seven points, 15-of-23 excellent receptions, and six digs.
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
Although the King Crunchers won the net battle with 12 blocks against Savouge’s nine, the Spin Doctors dominated on attack, 46-35, and committed fewer errors, 13-20.
Four-time MVP Jude Garcia, who erupted for 26 points in Game 1, was limited to just 10 points on 9-of-25 attacks.
Alche Gupiteo, who did not play in the previous game, returned with 10 points, 11 receptions, and six digs, while Lloyd Josafat and Jaron Requinton chipped in nine points each.
