Alaska stays on top, nips ailing GlobalPort; Abueva with career-best

Calvin Abueva. PBA IMAGES

Calvin Abueva unleashed a career-high performance to lead Alaska in a come-from-behind 103-101 victory over GlobalPort in Petron Saturday Special of the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Cuneta Astrodome.

Abueva fired a career-best 29 point on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from three, on top of 14 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks as the Aces stayed on top of the standings at 5-1.

“Calvin played like an import today. He didn’t miss a three and he only had two turnovers,” said coach Alex Compton.

Shane Edwards also added a double-double of 21 markers and 11 boards, together with four rejections, while Vic Manuel added 12.

Down 15 points, 33-18, in the second quarter, Alaska just kept itself within reach, and finally snagged the lead for good with a Manuel bucket, 95-94, with 3:26 left in the period.

Abueva, Edwards, and Chris Banchero all drained big shots in the clutch to put away the Batang Pier.

“I thought GlobalPort did a great job and they outplayed us for most of the game,” noted Compton. “Calvin made shots, we got some buckets in transition, and at the end of the game, our defense helped us. We turned it on spurts.”

The loss puts a damper on the debut of GlobalPort import Shawn Taggart, who finished with 36 points and 16
rebounds.

Keith Jensen chipped in 13 markers, while Jonathan Uyloan got 12.

The Batang Pier sorely felt the absence of Terrence Romeo (calf) and Stanley Pringle (ankle) as they fell down the cellar at 2-5.

The Scores:

ALASKA 103 – Abueva 29, Edwards 21, Manuel 12, Exciminiano 10, Jazul 8, Banchero 6, Thoss 6, Dela Rosa 5, Casio 2, Eman 2, Menk 2, Dela Cruz 0, Hontiveros 0, Racal 0.
GLOBALPORT 101 – Taggart 36, Jensen 13, Uyloan 12, Fortuna 11, Taha 11, Yeo 7, Washington 5, Mamaril 4, Semerad 2, Kramer 0, Maierhofer 0.

Quarters: 16-30, 48-51, 74-78, 103-101.