Due to his above-average reflexes, he was nicknamed El gato (cat), and represented local club Sporting de Gijón for almost 20 years as a professional.
He played solely for Sporting de Gijón after being a product of the club's famed youth system, Mareo, and received his first-team debut on 2 January 1983, as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 home win against RCD Español after José Aurelio Rivero was sent off.
[3] After two further games the following season, Ablanedo became the Asturian side's undisputed starter, totalling 399 in La Liga.
[4] In the 1986–87 campaign, as Sporting finished fourth, he appeared in 42 matches (out of 44, as the league had a second stage).
[1][9] Ablanedo earned four caps for Spain, the first coming on 24 September 1986 in a 3–1 friendly victory over Greece in Gijón.