Aces rebound

Calvin Abueva went 0-for-10 for Alaska on Sunday night, and yet, coach Alex Compton feels that games like what the 2013 Rookie of the Year had against Blackwater are the ones that will help the Aces challenge the big guns in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“He made so many extra-unselfish plays that we coaches love,” Compton said after a 93-74 decision of the Elite at Smart Araneta Coliseum that had the Aces improving to 1-1 in the import-spiced conference.

Abueva finished with just three points but had 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and the same number of blocks, an effort which Compton said practically saved the Aces from imploding after they nearly lost a 30-point first half lead.

“There were two words for us out there: Calvin Abueva,” Compton boldly declared, talking more about his prized workhorse than the career-high 27 points of Vic Manuel, who tossed in 15 of his total career high 27 points in the final frame.

“He was awesome and it (Abueva’s efforts) just rubbed off on everyone else,” Compton went on. “We all came alive with what he brought us [in the fourth quarter].”

The loss was the third straight for the disappointing Elite, who trailed 19-49 in the second period and spent the rest of the night trying to catch up.

The best that Blackwater could do was come within six in the third period as Alaska came out flat for the second half.

In the nightcap, Rain or Shine grabbed a share of the early lead after a 108-89 victory over debuting Barangay Ginebra.

Raymond Almazan poured in seven of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, Ed Daquioag had 17 and import Reggie Johnson contributed 16 points for the Painters who tied idle TNT KaTropa at 2-0.

Meanwhile, Christian Standhardinger and Troy Rosario will banner the Philippine men’s team in the 2018 Fiba 3×3 World Cup to be held at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, in June.

Rosario’s TNT KaTropa teammate Roger Pogoy and Stanley Pringle will also play for the team to be coached by Ronnie Magsanoc.

The Philippines is in Group C together with Russia, Brazil, Canada and Mongolia.

Patrick Aquino will handle the women’s team composed of Afril Bernardino, Jack Animam, Gemma Miranda and Janine Pontejos.