Savouge Aesthetics recorded the biggest win in franchise history, sweeping defending champion Cignal in straight sets, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18, to remain unbeaten in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinals on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Spin Doctors drew strong performances from multiple players, as head coach Sydney Calderon masterfully executed a game plan that caught the Super Spikers off guard in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, Black Mamba, and Arena Plus.
Calderon made a bold move by shifting Mark Calado to the opposite position, opening up the other outside hitter spot for team captain Hero Austria. Meanwhile, Shawie Caritativo held his place in the remaining OH position.
The change paid immediate dividends, with Calado hammering 12 points in the surprising sweep, backed up by Caritativo and the seldom-used Austria.
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
“Gutom kasi lahat manalo ‘yung team ko. Ang goal kasi namin, sabi ko kung gusto natin pumasok sa Finals, hindi madali ‘yun,” said Calderon.
“Kasi knowing Cignal being the defending champion, Criss Cross being the first runner-up for how many conference na, then Kindai maganda rin ang nilalaro… So kung gusto namin mag-Finals, kailangan mag-level up ‘yung play namin. So happy naman ako sobrang ganado sila maglaro.”
With a perfect 3-0 record atop the team standings alongside the Japanese guest team, Savouge looks to extend its hot streak tomorrow as it aims for its first-ever Finals berth against Criss Cross at the Ynares Center Montalban.
Cignal had controlled most of the second set, still leading 19-17 late in the frame.
But Caritativo, Giles Torres, and Madz Gampong combined for an 8-3 run to give Savouge a 2-0 set lead.
The Spin Doctors then launched another decisive rally in the third set, turning a 14-13 lead into a 19-13 advantage, as Calado, Caritativo, and Torres connected for five straight sequences.
The win marked Savouge’s second-ever victory over Cignal, the first being a 19-25, 27-25, 19-25, 25-23, 15-13 triumph on October 25, 2024, also during the Invitationals.
“Medyo mahirap ‘yung from open hitter to opposite, mabilis ‘yung mga pangyayari kasi kahapon lang namin pinractice ‘yun. Thankful lang ako kay God kasi na-survive ko ‘yung pagiging opposite ngayong araw and sana magtuloy-tuloy kami hanggang sa mga susunod na games,” said Calado.
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
Cignal fell to 1-2 and now faces a must-win match tomorrow against Kindai University if it wants to defend its title.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. They are also streamed via spikersturf.ph.
