After securing back-to-back bronze finishes, Savouge team owner and head coach Sydney Calderon is now eyeing a new venture for the next conference of the Spikers’ Turf.
Calderon has long championed opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community through her team, the Spin Doctors. She plans to further her advocacy by establishing another squad that will provide greater visibility and representation in the sport.
“We were actually talking with Ms. Mozzy [Ravena]. Planning akong magtayo pa ng isang team which is empowering talaga the LGBT [community],” said Calderon.
“Yung isang team talaga, all-LGBT talaga yun. Yun yung pangarap ko and hopefully, sana, ma-approve yun,” she added.
Calderon also revealed her intention to step down as Savouge’s head coach if her plans materialize, with the goal of returning to action as a player for her new team.
“Definitely, kapag na-approve yun, you might be seeing me play for my other team,” she revealed.
“Sa mga hindi pa nakakaalam, this would be my last stint as head coach. You might be seeing me cheering my team from the other side or you might be seeing me playing next [conference]. Yun na lang hihintayin,” Calderon continued.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Savouge delivered another strong performance in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, claiming bronze after sweeping VNS-Laticrete in Game 2 of the battle for third place, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22, on Friday at the Philsports Arena.
However, Calderon acknowledged that the team’s inexperience played a significant role in their inability to close out matches against defending champion Cignal and powerhouse Criss Cross during the elimination round.
Despite finishing third in the eliminations to qualify for the round-robin semifinals, Savouge fell short of reaching the finals after losses to the HD Spikers and the King Crunchers.
“Doon lang kami natalo. Masyado pa sigurong bata yung team namin knowing na bago lang din naman talaga si Savouge. Pang-[third] conference pa lang namin, but hopefully, next conference, yun talaga yung ite-train namin, yung maturity kasi yung skills, nandun na talaga. Kondisyon silang lahat,” Calderon explained.
Still, Calderon remains optimistic about the team’s chances in the next conference.
“I’m confident na next [conference], makukuha na namin kasi almost there na kami eh. Super confident ako na makukuha na namin siya.”
