Leo Aringo delivered his best performance of the tournament to power AEP-Cabstars past the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 26-28, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Sunday. The four-set result gave AEP-Cabstars its first win in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference and improved its record to 1-2. The AEP-Cabstars vs AFP match also featured Ranran Abdilla’s 37-point explosion, which ultimately went unrewarded.
AEP-Cabstars first win built on Aringo’s 23 points
Leo Aringo finished with a team-high 23 points on 22 attacks and one block. His scoring output was the best of his tournament so far and provided the offensive anchor AEP-Cabstars needed after dropping a tight opening set. Dave Lardizabal backstopped him with 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, along with seven excellent digs.
John Santiagudo and Paul Malaiba added 11 points apiece, with Malaiba also recording 17 excellent receptions. John Wayne Arano orchestrated the offense with 25 excellent sets and three points. The distribution across four players with double-digit scoring gave AEP-Cabstars a balanced attack that AFP struggled to contain.
The Cabstars held a commanding 56-33 advantage in attacks and capitalized on 33 unforced errors by AFP. That attack differential reflects AEP-Cabstars’ ability to convert possessions into points, while AFP’s miscues allowed the Cabstars to sustain momentum and complete the comeback victory in one hour and 44 minutes.
Abdilla’s 37-point explosion falls short for AFP
Ranran Abdilla erupted for 37 points and 16 excellent receptions in a losing effort for the Cavaliers. Abdilla, who set the Spikers’ Turf scoring record with 47 points in 2023, delivered another sensational performance three years later. However, his efforts went unrewarded as AFP fell to 0-3.
The Cavaliers remain tied with VNS-Laticrete at the bottom of the 10-team standings. AFP will look to snap its three-game losing streak when it takes on the Griffins on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The challenge for AFP is to convert Abdilla’s individual production into team results.
Coaching response and resilience after opening-set loss
The Cabstars appeared poised for a strong start after taking a 24-21 lead in the opening set, only for Abdilla to spark a late rally and snatch the frame away. AEP-Cabstars regrouped and took control of the match, dominating AFP in the next three sets to seal the victory.
“We are happy with our first win against AFP,” said AEP-Cabstars head coach Kitty Antiporta. “I just told the players about our communication, and at the same time the resilience every time we make mistakes. Because in the first set we kind of lost our way.”
“It’s also a good challenge for the young ones to look up to the old players who, up to now, still play that way,” he added. The coach’s comments highlight a focus on communication and resilience, two areas that will be tested again in the coming matches.
Standings context and next fixtures
The Cabstars will enjoy a nine-day break before returning to action against Alpha Insurance on November 4 at 3 p.m. at the same venue. They aim to build on their breakthrough victory and secure their second win of the conference. The win moves AEP-Cabstars to 1-2, keeping them within reach of the teams above them in the 10-team field.
For AFP, the immediate task is to convert Abdilla’s individual production into team results. The Cavaliers have yet to win in three outings and face a Griffins side next at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. AFP’s 0-3 start leaves little margin for error in the standings.
The original report was published by tiebreakertimes.com.ph.
