Aces sustain resurgence, rally past Picanto behind Abueva

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Calvin Abueva willed Alaska to a come-from-behind win over Kia, 102-94, in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Abueva unfurled a conference-best 26 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists to lead the Aces. He frustrated high-scoring Picanto reinforcement Geron Johnson in the last five minutes as Alaska stretched its winning streak to three games.

Buck Henton contributed 20 markers, including the go-ahead triple with 1:26 to play that gave Alaska a 97-94 lead. Henton also collected 13 boards, seven assists, and three blocks, 

JVee Casio added four triples and wound up with 20 points and seven dimes as the Aces, who started the conference at 0-6, stayed alive for a playoff spot.

“It’s a character-building win for us,” he said.

After Henton’s go-ahead trey in the final minute, the Picanto had a chance to tie the game, but LA Revilla threw an errant pass to Johnson that led to Casio’s dagger short stab on the other end with 36.6 ticks remaining.

“(Kia) was playing great, but we just had a lot of bounces that went our way and we made a couple of shots,” said Compton.

Down 10, 77-67, at the start the fourth period, Alaska leaned on Ping Exciminiano, who had 14 markers, four boards, and three dimes off the bench. Casio knotted the game at 84 with a triple with 5:36 left to set up the frantic finish.

Johnson fired 39 points that went with nine rebounds, and seven assists, but committed eight turnovers for still winless Kia (0-9).

Philip Paniamogan added 12 markers, while Nico Elorde and Mark Yee both had 11.

The scores:

ALASKA 102 – Abueva 26, Henton 20, Casio 20, Exciminiano 14, Banchero 11, Thoss 4, Racal 3, Baclao 2, Cruz 2, Mendoza 0, Magat 0, Pascual 0, Galliguez 0, Enciso 0.

KIA 94 – Johnson 39, Paniamogan 12, Elorde 11, Yee 11, Khobuntin 10, Ballesteros 4, Celda 3, Jaime 2, Corpuz 2, Revilla 0, Camson 0, Salva 0.

Quarters: 23-27, 46-51, 67-77, 102-94.