Savouge shut down the league’s best blocking team and tightened the Spikers’ Turf semifinals race. The Spin Doctors stunned National University-Archipelago Builders, 25-18, 25-23, 25-20, on Sunday, Nov. 15, to create a four-way tie for second place.

The win, Savouge’s fifth straight, lifted the team to 5-2 and into a tie with Far Eastern University-DN Steel, Alpha Insurance and NU-Archipelago Builders. Savouge holds the upper hand among the four teams with 17 points in the six-team semifinals race.

Savouge Neutralizes NU’s Blocking Strength

NU entered the match with the league’s best blocking averages, 14.33 per game and 3.91 per set, after a 20-block showing against AEP-Cabstars. Savouge held the Bulldogs to five blocks.

The Spin Doctors hammered down 50 kills on 98 attempts in the 78-minute victory. Jared Schnake and Joeven Dela Vega scored 15 points apiece, and Mark Calado added a double-double of 13 points and 12 excellent receptions.

Middle blockers and brothers JP and Martin Bugaoan chipped in seven and five points, respectively. The two also accounted for three of Savouge’s five blocks.

Setter Vince Imperial, who has found his rhythm since returning from a shoulder injury, dished out 19 excellent sets. Veteran libero Rikko Marmeto anchored the floor defense with 13 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.

Semifinal Race Tightens for Savouge, NU

Head coach Sydney Calderon credited preparation. “Prior sa match today, talagang we prepared for this game, proper mindset as well for the players, so to be honest before we went dun sa court, nag-meditate talaga kami to make sure na everyone is calm,” he said.

“Focus lang talaga, and I think ‘yung nakita ko kanina is ‘yung team effort talaga,” Calderon added. Savouge will try to extend its winning streak to six games against already-eliminated AEP-Cabstars at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the same venue.

NU struggled to find its footing from the opening serve, failing to establish an offensive rhythm as Savouge dictated the pace. The defeat snapped the Bulldogs’ two-game winning streak.

Jade Disquitado was held to 10 points on 10-of-30 attacking, though he added 20 excellent receptions. Buds Buddin also scored 10 points, with seven attacks and three blocks.

Leo Ordiales also struggled, managing eight points on seven-of-25 attacking and one block. NU will try to return to the win column against fellow also-ran 3B at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Philsports Arena.