AEP-Cabstars Snap Three-Game Skid With Straight-Sets Rout of VNS in Spikers’ Turf

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AEP-Cabstars finally stopped the bleeding. Three straight losses had hurt their semifinal hopes, but the Cabstars routed VNS-Laticrete, 27-25, 25-19, 25-16, on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Philsports Arena in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.

The win lifted AEP-Cabstars to 2-5 in the tournament organized by Sports Vision. They had lost to Alpha Insurance, Criss Cross and National University-Archipelago Builders before finding their footing against the Griffins.

Dave Lardizabal led AEP-Cabstars with 12 points, including 11 attacks and one block, in the straight-sets victory over VNS-Laticrete. [PVL Images]

AEP-Cabstars Snap Skid Against VNS

The Cabstars edged the first set, 27-25, then pulled away with 25-19 and 25-16 wins. Head coach Kitty Antiporta credited focus and discipline for the turnaround.

“Sobrang proud ako dito sa team namin,” Antiporta said. “We stayed focused, tapos ‘yung disiplina namin every time na nagti-training kami (nandun).”

Antiporta explained what clicked. “Dun sa training namin, nakuha namin or na-apply namin ‘yung tini-training namin, which is sa mga past games namin kumbaga nahihinto or napipigil, basta hindi namin magawa.”

Antiporta said the work in practice showed in the win. “I’m happy kasi ‘yung mga previous na trainings namin, nakita namin sa game today,” Antiporta added.

Araño, Lardizabal Lead Balanced Attack

Wayne Araño orchestrated the Cabstars’ balanced attack with 19 excellent sets. Four teammates finished in double figures, keeping VNS on its toes.

Dave Lardizabal led AEP-Cabstars with a game-high 12 points, built on 11 attacks and one block. Bembem Bautista added a double-double of 11 points and 12 excellent receptions, plus five excellent digs.

Leo Aringo and JD Diwa chipped in 11 points apiece. The Cabstars take that momentum into their penultimate assignment against 3B on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Griffins absorbed their third consecutive defeat and fell to 2-6. Jau Umandal was their lone double-digit scorer with 11 points and 22 excellent receptions.

Team captain Jerremy Pedrosa contributed eight points and seven excellent digs. VNS faces defending champion Criss Cross on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m., hoping to end its campaign on a high note.