Abueva rescues Aces; Wilson saves Bolts

Matt Ganuelas of Talk N Text (dark) vs JV Casio, Tony Dela Cruz and Calvin Abueva of Alaska (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines–Calvin Abueva did it all for Alaska Tuesday night and led the Aces to a come-from-behind 100-98 decision of Talk ‘N Text for a piece of the early PBA Philippine Cup’s elimination round lead.

Abueva capped a 26-point, 22-rebound—both career-highs—performance with the game-winning floating layup at the buzzer, but not after rallying the Aces from 18 points down late in the third quarter.

Alaska thus tied idle Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer and Meralco for the lead after the Bolts, in the first game, averted a huge collapse and turned back newcomer Blackwater, 83-75, in overtime.

The Aces lagged behind, 62-80, before Abueva—who even had a nasty fall at the height of their rally—led a never-quit stand in the fourth that had Alaska making a game out of it with still six minutes left.

Jayson Castro was stripped in the last Talk ‘N Text offensive by JV Casio, and Dondon Hontiveros did not call the timeout that coach Alex Compton was asking as he found the streaking Abueva for the game-winner.

“Dondon got a good veteran read (of the situation),” Compton said. “I just thought that it was a great decision by the guys.”

Wilson scored all of his nine points in overtime and helped the Bolts avoid what would have been the first real upset of the tournament.

Meralco threw away control in the fourth period and was lucky to even play in overtime as referee Peter Balao missed giving the Elite a timeout that Jason Ballesteros was calling after a rebound play in the waning seconds.

Instead, Sean Anthony tied Ballesteros up to force a jump ball with 2.2 seconds left, denying the Elite, who forged overtime at 70-all after a Bam-Bam Gamalinda triple with 14.8 ticks left, a shot at winning it in regulation.

THE SCORES:

First Game

MERALCO 83—Hodge 26, Guevarra 10, Wilson 9, Anthony 9, David 7, Ildefonso 6, Ferriols 6, Atkins 4, Cortez 2, Dillinger 2, Hugnatan 2, Morrison 0, Buenafe 0, Sena 0, Macapagal 0.

BLACKWATER 75—Nuyles 14, Menor 14, Faundo 10, Gamalinda 10, Artadi 6, Laure 6, Timberlake 5, Erram 4, Tiongson 2, Rodriguez 2, Ballesteros 2, Cawaling 0, Austria 0.

Quarters: 26-20, 44-32, 61-47, 70-70, 83-75

Second Game

ALASKA 100—Abueva 26, Hontiveros 14, Banchero 12, Casio 12, Baguio 10, Manuel 10, Thoss 9, Jazul 6, Exciminiano 1, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Bugia 0, Vanlandingham 0, Dela Cruz 0.

TALK ‘N TEXT 98—Reyes R. 24, Alas 15, Williams 13, De Ocampo 12, Castro 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Washington 5, Espiritu 5, Fonacier 4, Reyes R. J. 2, Carey 0, Labagala 0, Seigle 0, Aban 0.

Quarters: 21-28, 47-48, 68-80, 100-98