PBA: Calvin Abueva reaches 5,000 points as Magnolia stays on pace for twice-to-beat

Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva leads Magnolia in career night. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Calvin Abueva became the latest member of the 5,000-point club to highlight a strong showing that keyed Magnolia’s 110-95 win over Blackwater in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Abueva scored a season-high 27 points while grabbing 13 rebounds as the Hotshots ended the elimination round with a 7-4 record that kept them in the hunt for the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Coach Chito Victolero also praised his team’s overall effort, especially surviving a scare over Terrafirma last Saturday with a 121-115 overtime win despite being down by 15 late in regulation.

“We learned a lot from our mistakes in the last game,” said Victolero. “It boiled down to effort, because without it we will have a hard time to win.”

Import Antonio Hester had 22 points and 20 rebounds to continue the impressive run of form Magnolia had since he was tapped to replace Eric McCree.

The Hotshots won seven of eight with Hester after the Hotshots suffered a 0-3 start with their original reinforcement.

Russell Escoto came off the bench to score 17 points with six rebounds, Rome dela Rosa had 14 points and six assists while Jio Jalalon dished out 11 assists.

Abueva’s eight first quarter points allowed him to become the 96th member of the 5,000-point club.

But his play on both ends of the floor kept Magnolia on top even if Blackwater cut the deficit several times from a high of 24.

Blackwater finished the eliminations with a league-worst 1-10 record, compounded by nine consecutive defeats.

Reinforcement Shawn Glover posted 22 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks for the Bossing.

The scores:

MAGNOLIA 110 — Abueva 27, Hester 22, Escoto 17, Dela Rosa 14, Lee 9, Dionisio 8, Barroca 6, Jalalon 4, Corpuz 3, Ahanmisi 0, Wong 0.

BLACKWATER 95 — Glover 22, Casio 20, Amer 16, Ular 12, Sena 6, Hill 6, Ayonayon 6, Ilagan 5, Suerte 2, Torralba 0, Rosario 0, Banal 0.

Quarters: 32-20, 48-45, 87-66, 110-95.