Spikers’ Turf: Savouge dispatches FEU in straight sets

MANILA — Savouge continued its turnaround after an early-season slump, dispatching Far Eastern University-DN Steel in straight sets, 25-23, 25-18, 25-19, in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Wednesday at the FilOil Centre.

After stumbling to a 0-2 start, the Spin Doctors have bounced back with consecutive victories, improving to an even 2-2 record behind the combined 29-point effort of Mark Calado and Jared Schnake.

“Malaking tulong itong panalo sa amin kasi recover ito sa amin … though emotionally, sayang ‘yung first two losses namin. ‘Yung third game, medyo bumebwelo na kami and itong fourth, talagang in-all-out na namin lahat kasi this is a must-win for Savouge kasi ito ‘yung didikta kung aabot kami ng semifinals and tinatantsa namin ang outcome ng team,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon.

The opening set was closely contested before Joeven Dela Vega denied Amet Bituin at the net to give Savouge a slim 24-22 lead. Although Doula Ndongala scored on the next play, Dela Vega delivered the set-clinching kill to hand the Spin Doctors the opening frame, 25-23.

After being tied at 9-all, Savouge pulled away in the second set with a 10-3 run, capped by JP Bugaoan’s block on Joshua Idong that extended its lead to 19-12. The Spin Doctors sustained their momentum and capitalized on FEU’s errors before Muhamed Diop’s attack fell short, sealing the second set for Savouge, 25-18.

The Tamaraws mounted one final push in the third set, with Kyle Tandoc denying Dela Vega at the net to cut the deficit to 18-17. However, Savouge responded with a decisive 7-2 closing run, punctuated by Bugaoan’s back-row attack to complete the sweep, 25-19.

“Madadagdan ulit ‘yung confidence namin,” said Calado, who led the Spin Doctors with 17 points, all from attacks. “Tuloy-tuloy ‘yung panalo namin and mas magandang lumaban sa mga susunod kapag galing sa panalo kaysa sa talo.”

Schnake provided additional firepower with 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks in the one-hour-and-21-minute match.

The Spin Doctors will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they face the VNS Laticrete Griffins on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Meanwhile, Ndongala was the lone Tamaraw to finish in double figures, tallying 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks. Tandoc and Charles Absin chipped in eight points apiece as FEU absorbed its second consecutive defeat.

The Tamaraws will seek to bounce back against the ClearSkin UV Smashers on the same day at 1:00 p.m., also at the FilOil Centre.