AEP-Cabstars shrugged off early rust and nipped the Alpha Insurance Protectors, 3-1, to snare an early advantage in the 2026 Spikers' Turf Open Conference round-robin semifinals last Wednesday at the Filoil Playtime Centre.
The boys in red bounced back from a sputtery opening before denying the Protectors' late surge to cap off a thrilling 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 29-27 victory.
Jared James Schnake paced the Cabstars with 23 points on 22 successful attacks and an ace, while EJ Casaña orchestrated the team's offense with 21 excellent sets.
Stuffing the stat sheet were Jay Rack Dela Noche and Mfena Gwaza, who both notched 14 points with the latter contributing four kill blocks.
"Malaking factor yung team building namin. Kahit magagaling na ang players namin ang nagpanalo talaga ay ang team chemistry," said Cabstars' Head Coach Kitty Antiporta.
After failing to draw first blood, the Cabstars recovered their rhythm to snatch the next two sets and keep the Protectors at bay.
But the Alpha Insurance refused to falter that easily.
Not backing down without a fight, the Protectors erased a two-point deficit thanks to Jau Umandal and Don Nadera’s crucial rally to push the Cabastars into a 23-24 hole.
But it did not end there as Nadera's costly service error eventually forced a deadlock and a nip-and-tuck affair which extended the set to 27-all.
Schnake then clinched the match point for the Cabstars with a wittily placed drop shot, yet another service misfire kept the Protectors' challenge alive.
With another tie, Cabstars' newcomer Dave Lardizabal uncorked a decisive running attack followed by a block by De La Noche against Edward Camposano to seal the win.
Jau Umandal led the losing side with 14 points, while Nathaniel Del Pilar and Billie Anima tallied 13 and 10, respectively.
The AEP-Cabstars will face a tough test against Savouge Spin Doctors on Friday at 3 p.m.
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