Spikers’ Turf: Savouge stuns Cignal in five-set thriller

Savouge Spin Doctors celebrate a big win over Cignal HD Spikers in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal HD Spikers may arguably be the home of the brightest men’s volleyball players, but Savouge Spin Doctors showed no signs of intimidation, finding their own light to pull off their biggest win yet in their first season in Spikers’ Turf.

Savouge stunned the winningest men’s club Cignal in a five-set thriller, 19-25, 27-25, 19-25, 25-23, 15-13, to stay unbeaten in three games in the Invitational Conference on Friday evening at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Spin Doctors turned to Hero Austria and Charlee Magpayo in the fifth set to complete a fightback from being down two sets to one.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal fends off Savouge to stay unbeaten

Tied at 13, Austria drilled a kill of Lloyd Josafat’s block attempt to put Savouge at match point, 14-13, before Magpayo rejected Martin Bugaoan’s attack to prevail after two hours and 23 minutes and seize a league-leading 3-0 record.

Facing the most successful Spikers’ Turf club and Open Conference champion, Savouge coach and team owner Sydney Calderon said she simply urged her wards to believe in themselves despite trailing in the first three sets.

“Before we started the game, may message ako sa team na parang moon and sun lang yun, we have our own each light and we’re just waiting to shine kung kailan. Kung si Cignal siya ‘yung sun, kami naman ‘yung moon so we have our own light and yun yung naging motivation,” said Calderon.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Owa Retamar, Cignal score quick win

“Team effort talaga. Tiwala lang sa sarili kasi kung walang tatalo sa Cignal, sino? Yun lang yung sinabi ko, chinallenge ko lang yung sarili namin.”

Savouge Spin Doctors during a game against Cignal HD Spikers in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. –PVL PHOTO

Sherwin Caritativo led the Spin Doctors’ upset win with 19 points. Austria scored four of his 10 points in the fifth set. Magpayo also had 10, while former Cignal player Giles Torres haunted his former team with eight points.

Savouge will have a long break before its next game on November 6 against the winless Chichi DHTSI at  Philsports Arena.

READ: Criss Cross banners 10-team Spikers’ Turf Invitationals

Jau Umandal carried Cignal with 21 points, 12 excellent receptions, and four digs but he suffered from cramps in the fifth set with the game tied at 11. Mark Calado had 11 points only for the HD Spikers to slide to a 1-1 card.

Meanwhile, PGJC Navy sans star Joeven Dela Vega still debuted in style, routing the hapless Chichi DHTSI, 25-20, 25-17, 25-15.

With Dela Vega sitting out, Marvin Villanueva stepped up big time, pouring in a game-high 19 points, pounding 14 of his 23 attack attempts, and nailing three aces and two blocks.

“Practice pays off. Sa practice maganda yung pinapakita niya. Sabi ko tuloy mo lang, huwag kang ma-pressure,” said Navy coach Mike Santos. “Kung tutuusin galing sa halos two weeks na pahinga from AFP Olympics kaya kitang-kita nung first set kinakalawang pa pero natapos naman namin nang maayos, strong finish kami.”

Open Conference Best Outside Spiker Greg Dolor also delivered for the Sealions with 12 points. Reigning Best Middle Blocker Peter Quiel had 11 points, as setter Marvin Hairami tallied 14 excellent sets for a winning start before facing the unbeaten Far Eastern University-DN Steel on Sunday.

Chichi DHTSI remained winless in four games, No Titan scored in double figures anew with Rafael Del Pilar having a team-high six points.