Abueva, Aces down B. Pier; Rising Star clips Phoenix’ wings

PHOENIX forward JC Intal (right) fouls a dunking Star Hotshots import Ricardo Ratliffe in yesterday’s game at Cuneta Astrodome. KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ

CALVIN Abueva played through the pain of a twisted right ankle to shoot a career-high 29 points, grab 14 rebounds and come up with the energy that helped Alaska rally past GlobalPort, 103-101, last night in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

The former Rookie of the Year returned from a scary sequence in the first quarter and provided the bundle of intensity the Aces needed in coming back from as many as 15 points down. The win was Alaska’s fifth straight after a conference-opening loss.

“At the end of the day, our defense carried us,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said, relieved that his Aces were able to bounce back from a bum start and gut out a win. “Every win makes me happy. Period.”

Import Shane Edwards remained undefeated with the Aces after shooting 21 and collaring 11 boards, even as Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano came off the bench to combine for 22 in the featured game of the regular Petron Saturday Special schedule.

Star won back-to-back games for the first time under the watch of rookie coach Jason Webb, turning things around in the third quarter for a 91-75 triumph over Phoenix Petroleum in the first game.

From 37-44 at the half, the Hotshots took a 65-54 lead into the fourth en route to a 3-4 record. With the loss, Phoenix dropped to 2-4.

The scores:
First Game
STAR 91—Ratliffe 21, Simon 17, Yap 13, Barroca 8, Reavis 8, Pingris 7, Sangalang 7, Maliksi 6, Pascual J. 4, Cruz 0, Melton 0.
PHOENIX 75—Pinkney 21, Lanete 12, Intal 10, Baracael 7, Garcia 6, Urbiztondo 6, Wilson 6, Monfort 4, Pennisi 3, Brondial 0.
Quarters: 22-19, 37-44, 65-54, 91-75
Second Game
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