Abdilla Delivers a Scoring Masterclass, but AFP’s Winless Run Continues

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Ranran Abdilla erupted for 37 points, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) still fell to 0-3 in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. His big night could not prevent another loss for a team tied with VNS-Laticrete at the bottom of the standings.

AEP-Cabstars rallied from a first-set loss to win, 26-28, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18, on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The result gave the Cabstars their first win of the conference and lifted them to 1-2.

Ranran Abdilla scored 37 points and recorded 16 excellent receptions, but AFP lost to AEP-Cabstars in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. [PVL Images]

Abdilla Scores 37 in Losing Effort

The Cabstars led 24-21 in the opening set and appeared poised for a strong start. Abdilla then sparked a late rally that snatched the frame away from the Cabstars, 28-26.

Abdilla, who set a Spikers’ Turf single-game scoring record with 47 points in 2023, delivered another sensational performance three years later. He also added 16 excellent receptions, but his efforts went unrewarded.

AFP has now lost three straight games to open the tournament. It will try to snap the skid against the Griffins on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Cabstars Roar Back for First Win

Refusing to let the narrow setback derail them, the Cabstars took control and dominated AFP in the next three sets. They sealed the one-hour, 44-minute victory and improved to 1-2 in the standings.

Head coach Kitty Antiporta was pleased with the breakthrough, especially after a shaky first set. “Happy kami doon sa first win namin against AFP,” she said.

“Sabi ko lang sa mga players na ’yung communication namin, saka at the same time ’yung resilience na everytime na magkakamali kami. Kasi dun sa first set medyo nawala kami eh,” Antiporta said.

“Magandang challenge rin sa mga bata na i-look up ’yung mga old players na hanggang ngayon, ganun pa rin maglaro,” she added. Leo Aringo led the comeback with a team-high 23 points on 22 attacks and one block, plus 22 excellent receptions.

Dave Lardizabal added 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks and one ace, while John Santiagudo and Paul Malaiba had 11 points apiece. Malaiba also had 17 excellent receptions, and John Wayne Arano ran the offense with 25 excellent sets and three points.

AEP-Cabstars also held a 56-33 edge in attacks and capitalized on 33 unforced errors by AFP. The Cabstars now get a nine-day break before facing Alpha Insurance on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. at the same venue.