Abueva confident Aces will bounce back: ‘We won’t let this slip’

Alaska Aces’ Calvin Abueva. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

After losing Game 1 to Rain or Shine, 105-97, Calvin Abueva vows to bounce back and perform better in Game 2 as Alaska hopes to equalize the best-of-7 Finals series on Sunday.

The setback refused to deter Abueva, who is also on pace to become this conference’s Best Player awardee.

“First game pa lang naman. Makakapag-adjust pa kami sa ginagawa nila,” he said, after finishing with nine points, 10 rebounds, and three assists in the defeat.

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The Aces got off to a poor where they saw themselves falling behind 24-10 early before fighting back and making the game close.

Alaska’s defense also was punished by the Elasto Painters’ scintillating 14-of-27 shooting from three.

“Kinapos talaga. Missed rotations, nangyayari yun. Yung pick-and-roll, ginagawa talaga nila eh,” he said. “Pero di pa naman ito yung huli eh. Best-of-7 ito kaya may adjustment pa na mangyayari.”

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Abueva also admitted the pain from his second quarter injury, where he sprained his ankle when he stepped on Beau Belga’s foot on a drive, took a toll on him in the second half, where he was limited to just two points.

“Masakit, kumukirot. Pero as a player, pagdating ng crucial di mo na iintindihin yan,” he said. “Kinapos lang talaga. Nakaka-recover pa naman kami pero talagang talo eh.”

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There is no doubt in Abueva’s mind, however, that Alaska will bounce back strong in Sunday.

“Sa Game 2, sigurado yan. Makakabawi pa naman kami sa next game. Di naman namin papabayaan yan.”