Cabstars Survive Abdilla’s 37 Points as Savouge Sweeps 3B
AEP-Cabstars and Savouge secured their first Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference victories Sunday through contrasting performances in San Juan. Cabstars overcame Ranran Abdilla’s 37-point explosion, while the Spin Doctors swept 3B behind balanced scoring at Playtime FilOil Centre.
Cabstars Recover From Opening-Set Collapse Against AFP
Mark Escarlote of Daily Tribune covered both breakthrough victories as Cabstars and Savouge ended their winless tournament starts Sunday. AEP-Cabstars defeated AFP, 26-28, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18, recovering after surrendering three set points during the extended opening frame.
Cabstars held a 24-21 advantage before Abdilla helped AFP complete a stunning comeback and steal the opener, 28-26. AEP responded by controlling the next three sets, completing its comeback victory after one hour and 44 minutes.
Image from: ABS-CBN
Aringo Leads Three-Set Response After Losing Opener
Leo Aringo powered AEP’s recovery after the opening setback, helping Cabstars regain control across the final three frames. His production anchored an offense that consistently answered AFP after Abdilla’s remarkable first-set performance gave the Cavaliers early momentum.
Aringo Powers Balanced Cabstars Attack
Aringo finished with 23 points from 22 successful attacks and one block while adding 22 excellent receptions. Dave Lardizabal supplied 15 points from 12 attacks, two blocks, and one ace while contributing seven excellent digs.
John Santiagudo and Paul Malaiba added 11 points apiece, giving Cabstars four double-digit scorers during its first conference victory. John Wayne Arano directed that production with 25 excellent sets and contributed three points during AEP’s four-set comeback.
Arano Directs Four Double-Digit Scorers
Cabstars received double-digit scoring from Aringo, Lardizabal, Santiagudo, and Malaiba while Arano distributed 25 excellent sets across the offense. Aringo’s 22 excellent receptions added first-contact production alongside his team-high scoring during AEP’s three-set response against the Cavaliers.
Abdilla Scores 37 but AFP Remains Winless
Abdilla erupted for 37 points despite AFP losing three consecutive sets after completing its dramatic opening-frame comeback. The veteran scorer remains responsible for the Spikers’ Turf single-match scoring record after producing 47 points during the 2023 season.
His latest scoring explosion helped AFP erase Cabstars’ 24-21 advantage before the Cavaliers captured the first set, 28-26. AEP limited the damage afterward, taking the remaining sets by scores of 25-20, 25-17, and 25-18 to secure victory.
Record Holder Nearly Steals Opening Set
Abdilla’s 37-point performance followed his historic 47-point outing from 2023, providing another major individual scoring display in Spikers’ Turf. His strongest early impact came during AFP’s opening-set comeback, when Cabstars failed to convert three opportunities at set point.
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Savouge Sweeps 3B for First Invitational Victory
Savouge also entered the win column after defeating 3B, 25-18, 25-22, 25-20, in straight sets during Sunday’s doubleheader. The Spin Doctors improved to 1-2 after controlling the opening frame and preventing 3B from extending either succeeding set.
Joeven dela Vega led Savouge with 10 points, while Jared Schnake and Mark Calado contributed nine points apiece. Carl Berdal and Harry Ocay each scored 11 points for 3B, which also finished Sunday with a 1-2 record.
Dela Vega Leads Balanced Spin Doctors Scoring
Dela Vega’s 10 points led Savouge, while Schnake and Calado finished one point behind during the straight-set victory. Their closely distributed totals accompanied a three-set performance that prevented 3B from forcing an extended match at FilOil Centre.
Cabstars and Savouge Improve to 1-2
Cabstars ended its opening two-match losing streak after recovering from the difficult first-set finish against AFP. The victory lifted AEP to 1-2, giving the club its first breakthrough during the Season 10 Invitational Conference.
Savouge reached the same 1-2 record through a different route, sweeping 3B without surrendering a set Sunday. Both clubs now continue their Invitational campaigns after converting contrasting performances into their first victories of the conference.
Breakthrough Victories End Winless Tournament Starts
AEP needed four sets after losing an extended opener, while Savouge completed its breakthrough through a controlled three-set performance. Both results moved the previously winless clubs to 1-2 as the Invitational Conference schedule continues beyond Sunday’s doubleheader.
Analytical Breakdown: Cabstars and Savouge Benefit from Offensive Balance
Cabstars’ balanced scoring reduced pressure on Aringo, preventing AFP from building its defensive strategy entirely around one primary attacker. Stable reception also gave Arano greater distribution freedom, allowing AEP to exploit favorable matchups after its difficult opening-set collapse. Savouge similarly spread its leading production across several attackers, supporting a straight-set performance without requiring one overwhelming scoring total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did AEP-Cabstars beat AFP?
AEP-Cabstars defeated AFP, 26-28, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18, for its first Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference victory.
How many points did Leo Aringo score?
Aringo led AEP-Cabstars with 23 points while contributing 22 excellent receptions during the four-set victory over AFP.
How many points did Ranran Abdilla score?
Abdilla erupted for 37 points for AFP, but his massive scoring performance could not prevent a four-set defeat.
Did Savouge win against 3B?
Savouge swept 3B, 25-18, 25-22, 25-20, to secure its first Invitational Conference victory and improve to 1-2.
Who led Savouge in scoring?
Joeven dela Vega led the Spin Doctors with 10 points, while Jared Schnake and Mark Calado contributed nine apiece.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from ABS-CBN’s Website.
