Savouge Aesthetics finally snapped its three-game losing streak, eliminating Philippine Air Force after straight sets, 25-17, 28-26, 25-22, in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
The Spin Doctors dominated the first set before escaping close encounters in the second and third to bring life to its semifinals hopes and upgrade their win-loss record to 2-3, good for fifth place.
“Actually, I told them na gawin nilang challenge yung pagkatalo. That’s a part of it, I know naman kasi yung team ko hindi kasing stable ng ibang teams so that is why nagte-training na lang kami, nagaaral kami,” said Savouge head coach Sammy Acaylar.
After a lopsided first-set victory, the Spin Doctors escaped defeat after Charlee Magpayo answered a Bryan Jaleco hit with a quick attack to tie the game at 26-all. Norwel Sanama and Jeremy Pedrosa then delivered the blows that gave them a 2-0 set advantage.
In the third, Savouge raced to a 24-19 advantage but the Airmen had other things in mind, saving three match points before Lorenz Señoron scored off a ball touch to finish the game.
“Hangga’t maari, yung emotion saka confidence nila ‘wag mawala. This is why dinaan namin sa tuneup games kaya medyo lumakas ang loob ng team ko. I’m happy naman,” added Acaylar.
Señoron posted a team-high 13 points, 12 of which came from attacks, while Charlee Magpayo delivered 11 points on 10 attacks and one block in the 84-minute match.
Vince Imperial tossed 19 excellent sets to go along with two points for the Spin Doctors while Rikko Marmeto tallied 16 excellent receptions in the victory.
Savouge will look to ride this momentum when they take on also-ran RichMarc Sports 3B on Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. at the Ynares Center.
On the other hand, Air Force continued to spiral down, losing its fifth consecutive game to fall to 1-5 in the standings.
Pol Salvador paced the Airmen with 20 points on 18 attacks and two blocks while Jaleco registered 17 markers on 15 attacks and two kill blocks.
Air Force will try to break its skid on Sunday, 6:00 p.m. against Criss Cross also in Ynares.
