Spin Doctors bounce back, crush Event Masters to secure semis spot

Coming off back-to-back losses to Criss Cross, Savouge roared back, unleashing its frustration on 3B with a commanding 25-18, 25-13, 25-13 victory in just 55 minutes, punching its ticket to the semifinals of the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre.

Even without head coach Sydney Calderon, the Spin Doctors wielded their full might against a hapless Event Masters squad, powering their way to a 5-2 record—enough to claim the second semifinal slot behind league-leading King Crunchers.

“Kailangan talaga namin makahanap ng panalo. Kasi nga ‘yun nga, natalo kami ng dalawang sunod na game,” said Savouge assistant coach Macky Cariño, who filled in for Calderon, sidelined for personal reasons.

“Kailangan din namin mag-perform in today’s game kasi ‘yun nga, kailangan na kailangan namin makabawi para makakuha ulit kami ng panalo. Sa mga susunod namin na laban, ito na ‘yung preparation namin,” he added.

From start to finish, the Spin Doctors dominated relentlessly, out-attacking 3B 42-21, racking up 10-1 in aces, 6-1 in blocks, and keeping errors to just 11—well below 3B’s 17.

JP Bugaoan and Joeven Dela Vega led Savouge with 10 points each, despite Bugaoan playing only the first two sets of the quick win. Shawie Caritativo contributed seven points, while Louie Ramirez added six in two sets. Mark Calado tallied five points, while Giles Torres, Louis Gamban, JD Diwa, and skipper Hero Austria each added four.

The Spin Doctors will aim to sustain their momentum when they face Alpha Insurance on Friday at 5 p.m., at the same venue.

Meanwhile, 3B, coming off a win against VNS Always Bright Laticrete to open the second round, fell to 2-6. Kenneth Daynata led the Event Masters with six points, while Israel Encina added five as the team struggled without Carl Berdal.

3B will try to revive its semifinal hopes against AEP-Cabstars on Friday at 3 p.m., also at the Filoil Centre.