Savouge got its production from all over its lineup, narrowly escaping Martelli Meats in a five-set affair, 23-25, 25-17, 25-12, 22-25, 15-8, for a triumphant opener in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, Friday.
Louis Gamban unloaded a brilliant debut despite coming off the bench, going for a game-high 18 points built on 16 attacks.
More importantly, he delivered when it mattered most, drilling three points in the decider while JD Diwa also shone with four points. Neil De Pedro also chipped in three points there as they left the Master Butchers in the dust.
The Spin Doctors joined the Criss Cross King Crunchers and the D’Navigators Iloilo as early leaders in the 10-team tournament organized by Sports Vision, all at 1-0.
“Happy naman ako sa pinakita ng team pero may kulang, nakukulangan ako kasi hindi ‘yun ‘yung ienxpect ko na performance namin,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon, earning herself a winning coaching debut.
“Palagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na dapat tayo ‘yung ahead kasi pangatlong conference na namin ito and ‘yung kalaban namin considerered as bago sila so dapat tayo yung magiging benchmark na tayo ‘yung hinahabol, hindi tayo ‘yung naghahabol sa kanila.”
Diwa finished with 14 points, spearheading the Spin Doctors’ massive 19-block outing with five himself while Giles Torres also tallied 15 points founded on eight spikes, five blocks, and two aces.
De Pedro added 10 points in the win as they also got eight points apiece from Hero Austria and Sherwin Caritativo.
Both squads will next face the youthful VNS team on consecutive play dates.
Martelli Meats will get its chance for a bounce back on Sunday, also at the Pasig venue, while Savouge will aim for another victory on Tuesday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
Team captain JM Cordez led the Master Butchers with 14 points, while Razzel Palisoc chimed in with 12 points and seven digs. Angelo Reyes also delivered 11 points in the defeat.
