PBA: Calvin Abueva, Magnolia know job far from done

Magnolia Hotshots’ Calvin Abueva during a PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals game. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—With the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series between Magnolia and Rain or Shine knotted up at one game apiece, Calvin Abueva knows the war is far from over.

The Hotshots knew they had to tie the series with the Elasto Painters in a dominant way, and they did just that with a 121-69 decimation at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex on Friday.

Aside from the stellar debut of their new reinforcement Jabari Bird, one of the locals who stepped up was Abueva.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals

“’Di pa tapos to (this is not yet done),” said Abueva after helping give Rain or Shine its worst loss in franchise history.

“There will still be games where we’ll need to adjust… We only had a one-time preparation with the switching of imports. Kuya Rafi (Reavis) told us that we should take whatever he could give us,” added Abueva in Filipino.

Bird gave the Hotshots a shot in the arm after dropping a double-double to the tune of 22 points and 13 rebounds in 28 minutes of action.

However, the locals carried a big load in giving the Elasto Painters a beating with Abueva leading the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds on an efficient 57.1 percent shooting clip.

READ: PBA: Magnolia pummels Rain or Shine to tie quarterfinals at 1-1

“The locals needed to contribute too because if we rely it all on the import, it’ll be like we’ll drop him the ball every time,” Abueva said.

“Whatever we lacked in the last game appeared here and maybe even doubled. Jabari is a big help for us in the win.”