The Alpha Insurance Protectors are first on the board in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference with a four-set win over Savouge.
Barbie San Andres delivered a spectacular debut as Alpha Insurance opened the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference with a statement win over Savouge, 19-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22, on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The 5-foot-8 outside spiker unloaded a team-high 19 points along with nine excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions as the Protectors, entering just their second conference in the men’s premier league, started the Invitationals with a confidence-boosting victory against the Spin Doctors, who won bronze medals in two straight tournaments.
“Trust the process. Nagstart kami last conference, kulang na kulang kami sa preparation. Coming into this conference, maganda yung preparation, at the same time may mga recruit kami na mga ace players talaga, so yung paghahanda talagang tinutukan namin,” said Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos.
San Andres and Billie Anima were the ones who stood out the most during the clutch moments of all three tight sets the Protectors won in the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings n’ Things, and Arena Plus.
With Charlee Magpayo tying the third frame at 24 with a powerful running hit, San Andres retaliated with an equally powerful spike off the blockers before Anima denied Shawie Caritativo at the net to give Alpha Insurance the 2-1 set lead, 26-24.
Then the duo came through anew in the fourth with the game knotted at 22. San Andres hammered a sharp kill before Anima blocked Mark Calado for the match point. Caritativo then sent his spike attempt wide for the Protectors’ win in two hours and five minutes.
“Yung mindset po namin is kami yung nauuna, so minsan pag nahahabol kami iniisip po namin na ito na yun, hindi namin bibitawan ito kasi kami na yung nauna. Kumbaga, binibigay na sa amin yung panalo, hindi na namin bibitawan. Yun yung iniisip namin sa mga crucial parts ng game,” said San Andres.
Backup was plentiful as well for Alpha Insurance, as JJ Javelona, despite coming off the bench, added 12 points while Vince Himzon chipped in 11 points.
NCAA Season 100 rookie MVP Rocky Motol netted 10 points and 11 digs, while Anima accounted for six of their 13 blocks along with two blocks for eight points.
Alpha Insurance will look to build on this momentum when it returns to action on Wednesday at the Paco Arena against defending champion Cignal.
On the other hand, Calado led the Spin Doctors with 20 points and six digs, while Caritativo logged 19 points and 22 excellent receptions.
Savouge will look to bounce back on Wednesday as well when it takes on 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge champion FEU-DN Steel.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Games will also be streamed via spikersturf.ph.