JM Paglaon and the Savouge Spin Doctors keep their Spikers' Turf semifinal hopes alive, surviving a late challenge from the PGJC-Navy.
Savouge Aesthetics found the going a lot tougher in the third set but still managed to fend off PGJC-Navy, fashioning out a 25-14, 25-20, 25-23 victory to bolster its semifinal bid in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Wednesday at the Paco Arena.
After cruising through the first two frames, the Spin Doctors were pushed to the limit in the third, where they had to make crucial adjustments to survive several tense moments down the stretch and complete the sweep.
The win improved Savouge’s record to 4-2, a key result that kept its hopes alive for a berth in the round-robin semis.
With the scores tied at 22-all, Shawie Caritativo fired a powerful cross-court hit, before a called illegal block on Abdul Bangcola handed Savouge match point.
Joeven Dela Vega saved one for the Sealions with an off-the-block hit, but Raymark Betco sealed the deal for the Spin Doctors with an attack initially ruled out before being overturned after a successful ball touch challenge.
“Nag-adjust talaga kami sa rotation namin,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon. “Based sa stats, nakita namin ‘yung mga marami kaming errors at hindi kami makapatay agad sa ilang rotation. So ‘yun ‘yung wino-workout namin, and I’m very happy with what I saw today.”
Mark Calado led Savouge with 13 points, complementing his all-around performance that included eight excellent receptions and seven digs. Betco also delivered 13 points – all from attacks – while Giles Torres and Angelo Reyes chipped in nine apiece, combining for five blocks.
Caritativo added eight points, while JM Paglaon steered the offense with 17 excellent sets in another balanced showing for the Spin Doctors, who now ride a two-game winning streak in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Savouge next faces defending champion Cignal in a crucial matchup on Friday, 5 p.m., at the same venue.
Meanwhile, the loss – the fifth straight for PGJC-Navy – officially eliminated the Sealions from semis contention. Dela Vega finished with 13 points, while Greg Dolor added seven.
The Sealions will try to notch their first win when they face the Alpha Insurance Protectors, also on Friday at 3 p.m.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, with video-on-demand access available via the Pilipinas Live app. Matches are also streamed on spikersturf.ph.