Savouge Aesthetics weathered a determined late push from UST–Gameville to secure a hard-earned 25-27, 25-16, 25-22, 25-21 triumph in their round-robin semifinal opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The meeting doubled as the venue’s first Spikers’ Turf outing, and the Spin Doctors delivered under pressure behind the steady leadership of Madz Gampong and Giles Torres. Their composure proved essential against a UST–Gameville side missing several key contributors, including Josh Ybañez, Al-Bukharie Sali, JJ Macam, and head coach Odjie Mamon.

The game was played on Friday, November 21, as Savouge worked to maintain momentum and keep UST–Gameville at bay during a tense fourth-set rally.

Savouge leans on bench spark and blocks

Savouge’s victory hinged on timely contributions from Madz Gampong off the bench and the rim presence of Giles Torres. Gampong sparked a short personal run that stopped UST–Gameville’s comeback, while Torres sealed the match with a decisive block on Sherwin Umandal.

Coach Sydney Calderon praised the team’s preparation, highlighting how three days of focused training paid off in execution. Mark Calado led Savouge with 20 points, Torres added 17 points including six blocks and two aces, and Sherwin Caritativo steadied reception with 14 excellent passes. Reymark Betco played only the first set due to a right ankle injury, making Gampong’s contribution vital.

UST–Gameville undone by errors

Despite showing grit, UST–Gameville struggled with 34 unforced errors, giving away crucial points during rallies. Gboy De Vega led with 18 points and 24 excellent receptions, while Andrei Delicana and Sherwin Umandal added 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Savouge will aim for a second straight win against ProVolley Academy of Australia on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. UST–Gameville will face defending champion Cignal later the same day, seeking to bounce back from a rough start.