FEU Tamaraws-DN Steel in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Buoyed by their first-ever V-League crown, Far Eastern University-DN Steel sustained its fine form and outlasted Chichi DHTSI, 25-16, 25-22, 25-27, 25-19, in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Friday evening at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Just three weeks after ruling the 2024 Collegiate Challenge over De La Salle, the Tamaraws proved they belong in the country’s premier men’s volleyball club league with Jelord Talisayan leading the strong debut.

Talisayan powered FEU with 14 points, while Mikko Espartero backstopped the senior Tamaraw with 13 points.

READ: FEU Tamaraws relish V-League experience ahead of Spikers’ Turf

V-League Finals MVP Dryx Saavedra smashed 12 points, as Lirick Mendoza also scored 12 points, and Chad Absin added 11 in just two sets of action.

“Actually, if you look at the way everyone is moving, they’re giving their best because we’re in a loading period again. We deloaded during the V-League Finals, and now we’re back to loading, so the bodies are a bit sore,” said FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo.

“What we’re really after here is the experience we can gain, but of course, if we get the chance to make the top four, that’s even better, right? That’s why we’re here—to take the experience we gain from Spikers’ Turf.”

FEU’s five players in double figures was made possible by Vennie Ceballos’ defense with 15 excellent receptions and 10 digs.

Chichi DHTSI remained winless in two games with Christian Alicante leading with 15 points, and Jonathan Sorio contributing 12 points.

Savouge Spin Doctors’ Louis Gamban during a Spikers’ Turf game. –PBA IMAGES

Meanwhile, Savouge escaped Martelli Meats in a five-set thriller, 23-25, 25-17, 25-12, 22-25, 15-8.

Failing to close out the game in the fourth set, the Spin Doctors turned to Louis Gamban, who stepped up when it mattered most.

Gamban debuted in the Spikers’ Turf with 18 points, nailing 16 kills. Giles Torres chipped in 15 points on eight spikes, five blocks, and two aces to help the University of the Philippines product.

JD Diwa scored four points in the fifth and also provided five of Savouge’s 19 blocks. Neil De Pedro chipped in 10 points, while Hero Austria and Sherwin Caritativo added eight points apiece.

“I’m happy with what the team showed, but there’s something missing. I feel like it wasn’t the performance I was expecting,” said Savouge debuting coach Sydney Calderon.

“I always tell them that we should be the ones ahead because this is already our third conference, and our opponents are considered new. We should be the benchmark, the ones they’re chasing, not the ones chasing them.”

Martelli Meats banked on captain JM Cordez’s 14-point output. Razzel Palisoc contributed 12 points along with seven digs, while Angelo Reyes chipped in 11 points only to lose their first game

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FEU and Savouge joined Criss Cross and D’Navigators Iloilo at the top of the standings in the early stages of the season-ending tournament777pub, organized by Sports Vision and featuring 10 teams.

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