Momentum may be building for AEP-Cabstars in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, but for star setter EJ Casana, the squad’s recent surge is less about peaking at the right time—and more about recognizing what still needs work.
After stumbling to a 1-3 start in the first round, the Cabstars methodically engineered a strong turnaround, winning four of their last five matches to secure a semifinals berth and rise to solo third place at 5-4 heading into the final game day of the eliminations.
However, amid the climb in the standings of the six-team tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Alpha Insurance, Arena Plus, Black Mamba, and Premier EMS, Casana made it clear that satisfaction is not on the Cabstars’ mind, especially with the Final Four shifting to a clean slate, round-robin format.
“We’re happy, pero hindi pa kami contented sa resulta namin. Kailangan pa namin doblehin yung efforts namin sa trainings and sa mga games kasi alam naman namin na this game is a no bearing one,” Casana said, after tossing 29 excellent sets and registering four kill blocks in a four-set win over Alpha Insurance Tuesday afternoon at the Paco Arena in Manila.
“Hindi kami pwede mag-relax kasi sa semis, magiiba yung ikot ng bola niyan for sure. Ngayon, e-enjoyin namin yung panalo, and sana manalo kami next game,” he added.
For the former national team playmaker, the Cabstars’ late push for a coveted Spikers’ Turf championship served as both a confidence boost and a sobering reality check: while they are trending upward, the real test begins once the semifinals serve their first ball.
Amid the grind of a long Open Conference, one thing has stood out for Casana: the environment.
After the University of Perpetual Help product had to find a new home following Cignal’s leave of absence from the league last January, Casana has embraced the Cabstars’ system, which balances discipline on the Taraflex with enjoyment—a combination he believes is unlocking the team’s true potential.
It was the Cabstars that gave Casana and fellow ex-Cignal players Vince Abrot, Vince Lorenzo, Nas Gwaza, and Jay Rack De La Noche a chance to see that joy in volleyball does not come at the expense of discipline, but can go hand-in-hand with building a winning culture.
“Siguro yung system. Sobrang laking difference nung system kasi dito sa Cabstars, hindi kami sobrang seryoso. Parang sa kanila kasi dito sa Cabstars, yung enjoyment dapat hindi mawawala,” the 27-year-old setter said.
“Number one ‘yon. Sa Cignal kasi, pag trabaho, trabaho talaga. Hindi pwede dahil pag nage-enjoy kami, pag too much enjoyment nawawala kami. Ngayon sa Cabstars, ang number one rito ay huwag mawawala ang enjoyment sa court,” he added.
With the right mix of joy, chemistry, and competitiveness, Casana remains confident that the Cabstars can hit their stride come playoff time, aiming to challenge unbeaten Criss Cross and second-running Savougue when it matters most.
For now, Casana revealed that the Cabstars will savor their wins, but continue building, knowing the tournament’s biggest battles are still ahead.
“For me, hindi pa. Marami pa talaga kami kailangan i-work out. Number one doon ay yung team chemistry namin and yung defense namin. And yung pasensya namin sa loob ng court kasi nung third set, kitang kita naman na lahat kami naubusan ng pasensya ang nag-relax kami. Ayon yung kailangan pa namin i-work on ahead of sa next games namin,” Casana shared.
“Hopefully, madala namin ito sa Friday at hindi kami magre-relax kasi knowing Savouge, team to beat din. Rank 2 sila, so mas kailangan pa namin triplehan yung effort sa training and yung trabaho sa game,” he concluded.
