Alpha Insurance answered a two-game skid with a 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of AEP-Cabstars on Wednesday, Nov. 4, behind 27 combined points from Axel Book and Barbie San Andres. The Protectors improved to 2-2 in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.

The Protectors had lost to the NU-Archipelago Builders Bulldogs and Criss Cross King Crunchers before the win at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. The victory gave them a share of fifth place.

“Ang mindset lang po namin ng teammates ko and coaches is i-take po itong game na ito na light lang po kasi ‘yung mga past few games namin, sobrang eager po kami manalo doon po sa malalakas na teams na nakakalimutan namin mag-enjoy,” San Andres said. She scored 12.

Alpha Insurance Dominates AEP-Cabstars

Alpha Insurance maintained control for most of the opening set. Jetlee Gopio’s off-the-block hit and a successful joust helped the Protectors close out the frame, 25-19.

The Cabstars put up a stronger fight in the second set, with Leo Aringo’s crosscourt hit trimming the Protectors’ lead to 14-12. Alpha Insurance kept AEP-Cabstars at bay, as Gopio delivered a kill for set point, 24-21.

San Andres sealed the second set, 25-22, with a crosscourt hit. After Dave Lardizabal’s service ace tied the third set at 13-all, the Protectors answered with a 4-0 run.

Book’s own ace capped the run for a 17-13 cushion. Bembem Bautista gave the Cabstars another lifeline with two late kills, but Book put the finishing touches on the sweep with a crosscourt hit. The match lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes.

Protectors’ Standouts and Next Games

Alpha Protectors head coach Mike Santos said: “‘Di madali ‘yung tatlo naming nakalaban, so minindset ko lang rin ‘yung mga players na ‘yung Spikers’ Turf, wala talagang mahihinang team.”

“Every time na maglalaro tayo, every time na pupunta tayo sa court, we have to do our best sa kung sinong makakatapat natin,” Santos said. “I think nag-respond naman ang mga players tungkol doon sa maganda naman ‘yung pinakita nila,” he added.

San Andres’ 12 points came on 10 attacks and two aces. Book added 15, giving the pair 27.

Gopio chipped in 10 points, including six blocks. EJ Casaña tallied 20 excellent sets and three points for the Protectors.

Lardizabal paced the Cabstars with 16 points on 15 attacks. Aringo, who scored 23 points in AEP-Cabstars’ breakthrough win over the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was limited to 11 as the team fell to 1-3.

Alpha Insurance has less than 24 hours to recover. The Protectors face the winless AFP Cavaliers on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 3:30 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena.

The Cabstars will look to snap their early-season skid against the undefeated King Crunchers. That game is Sunday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.