‘I thank the Lord not just for helping us reach the semifinals but also for giving us this bonus — our bronze medal.’
Savouge celebrates its third place finish after beating DN Steel-FEU, 25-21, 16-25, 25-14, 25-17, in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Spikers’ Turf
Savouge might have fallen short of the championship, but its journey in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference gleamed like gold as it secured a 25-21, 16-25, 25-14, 25-17 victory over DN Steel FEU to claim the bronze medal at the Philsports Arena on Sunday.
In a field brimming with volleyball talent and powerhouse teams, Savouge defied expectations, displaying skill, heart and resilience that left a lasting impact far beyond the scoreboard.
Spearheaded by the electrifying Shawie Caritativo, who dominated the game with 14 points while bucking an ankle injury in the second set, Savouge came together like a well-oiled machine.
JD Diwa, Toto de Pedro, Giles Torres, Jhun Lorenz Senoron delivered stellar performances, turning defense into offense and showcasing a level of teamwork and chemistry that was hard to match.
Riding the momentum of their decisive third-set win, the Spin Doctors turned the fourth frame into a virtual clinic, breaking away from a tight 3-3 count with a five-point surge.
Senoron took charge early, scoring three of the team’s first eight points to establish a five-point lead. From there, Savouge never looked back, maintaining its sharp execution and extending its advantage to 18-11 on a well-timed John Daniel Diwa running attack.
Following the instructions of head coach Sydney Calderon, the Spin Doctors transitioned to a sideout strategy, countering every DN Steel FEU offensive with solid responses.
Whether through Caritativo, Torres, Diwa, Senoron, or even setter John Michael Paglaon, who punctuated the run with a clever 1-2 play for a commanding 21-13 lead, Savouge displayed an all-around performance that left its opponents scrambling for answers.
Despite efforts from Arnet Bituin, Jelord Talisayan and Dryx Saavedra to rally the Ultras back into the match, the Spin Doctors maintained composure. Diwa fittingly delivered the finishing blow on a slide play, sealing the bronze medal victory in dominant fashion.
De Pedro, whose 12-point performance ignited the Spin Doctors’ third-set surge and earned him Best Player of the Game honors, reflected on the team’s journey.
“Our coaches told us to be all-around players. We made huge adjustments. There were many challenges, whether personal or at home, but it was all worth it,” he said Filipino.
He also highlighted the team’s unwavering commitment to preparation:
“When it’s training, we focus only on training,” De Pedro added.
For her part, Calderon expressed gratitude for their achievements.
“I thank the Lord not just for helping us reach the semifinals but also for giving us this bonus — our bronze medal,” she said.
Calderon also praised her team’s resilience and their joy in playing the game.
“I always instilled in them that no matter who we’re facing, we must go all out. We have to give 110 percent effort.”
Torres matched De Pedro’s output while Senoron finished with 10 points, Diwa contributed nine points and Louis Gamban and skipper Hero Austria chipped in four and three points, respectively.
Saavedra and Lirick Mendoza both scored 16 points, while Talisayan finished with eight points and Mikko Espartero and Bituin added seven points apiece for the Ultras, who barely yielded the battle in spikes, 52-54, and dominated in blocks, 12-8.
But they gave up 26 free points on unforced errors, including 17 from the service line, against the Spin Doctors’ 13 mistakes.
The Spin Doctors’ bronze finish was more than just a podium achievement — it was a testament to their perseverance, discipline and camaraderie. Their relentless hard work in training and refusal to back down when tested made them deserving of their moment in the spotlight, leaving a powerful mark on the league and inspiring future teams.
