Savouge secured solo second place while AEP-Cabstars climbed to solo third in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Tuesday afternoon at the Paco Arena in Manila, as the two semifinal-bound squads wrapped up pivotal elimination round wins.
Savouge defeated VNS Always Bright Laticrete in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20. Meanwhile, AEP-Cabstars overcame the Alpha Insurance Protectors, 25-17, 25-21, 19-25, 25-21.
Fresh off a thrilling reverse-sweep of the Alpha Insurance Protectors last Friday, Savouge relied on their depth in a non-bearing contest, fielding most of their reserves to secure a third consecutive win.
Regardless of their final elimination match against AEP-Cabstars this Friday, Savouge is assured of second place. The Cabstars (5-4) and fourth-running Protectors (4-5) can no longer catch up with only one game remaining.
“’Yon talaga yung purpose today, na bigyan ng chance yung iba naming players na makapaglaro para ma-develop na rin yung confidence nila para sa papalapit na semifinals,” Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon said.
“And at the same time, marami pa rin kami adjustments na kailangan gawin, kaya talagang rinotate namin sila para ma-exhaust lahat ng players namin today.”
In the third set, VNS kept pace with Savouge at 14-13, but the Spin Doctors broke the game open with an 8-2 surge — capped by a JP Bugaoan block and a CJ Segui attack error — to go up 22-15.
Mark Calado’s down-the-line hit, a Winfred Santos service error, and a game-winning quick attack from Angelo Reyes completed the straight-sets win.
Reserves Louis Gamban, JD Diwa, and Renzel Antonio propelled Savouge to a two-set advantage, with Gamban clinching three of the last four points in the second set.
Calado led with 10 points, Reyes and Bugaoan added seven each, and Louie Ramirez contributed six points before exiting due to a minor shoulder injury.
JC Enarciso orchestrated the offense with 14 excellent sets.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Earlier, AEP-Cabstars bounced back from a third-set stumble to defeat Alpha Insurance in four sets, claiming solo third place in the six-team field.
The Cabstars’ depth proved decisive as Jayrack De La Noche and Jared Schnake led the charge, avenging their first-round loss to Alpha and building confidence ahead of their Friday showdown against Savouge.
“Mas okay na standing namin kasi magandang panalo yung today, yung composure rin ng mga bata maganda para madala namin ito sa next game namin against Savouge,” Cabstars head coach Kitty Antiporta said.
“I think may mas mailalabas pa yung mga bata kasi parang two weeks lang din kaming nabuo. Yung preparation namin sa upcoming games namin, and lalo na yung chemistry, mas maganda kasi if bonded yung players.”
After giving up 10 errors in the third set, AEP-Cabstars broke an 11-all tie in the fourth frame with a 6-3 run, fueled by a Paul Malaiba off-the-block attack and a De La Noche crosscourt hit.
The Protectors tied it 19-all with a late surge, but the Cabstars closed out the frame — and the match — with a decisive 6-1 run featuring two Nas Gwaza attacks, a Schnake block, and a Protectors’ miscommunication error.
De La Noche led AEP-Cabstars with 21 points, Schnake added 17, Gwaza had 11, and Michael Doria contributed 10.
Former national team setter EJ Casana directed the offense with 29 excellent sets and four blocks, while Vince Lorenzo anchored the defense with 17 digs and 21 receptions.
Alpha Insurance slipped to fourth at 4-5, paced by Ranz Cajolo’s 16 points and Edward Camposano’s 14 points.
VNS stayed winless through nine games, with Segui posting 12 points and Santos adding seven.
