Painters test Abueva, Aces

CALVIN Abueva, Alaska’s prodigious do-it-all rookie, has passed test after test in his young Philippine Basketball Association career, helping make the Aces one of the hottest teams in the ongoing Philippine Cup.

The 6-foot-2 former NCAA MVP with San Sebastian has never been tested, though, in a way that he will be tested today.

Abueva and the Aces, riding on an impressive five-game winning streak, battle an equally hot but downright more physical Rain or Shine crew at 5:15 p.m. today with the winner gaining solo second place in the eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Against the Elasto Painters, Abueva will have his hands full against the very tough defense of the reigning Governors’ Cup champs.

Rain or Shine has been so sharp it will be coming off a clinical 25-point blowout of Meralco. The Painters have continually shown an ability to shut down foes with a defensive rotation that is the envy of most teams in the field.

Meanwhile, Talk ‘N Text tries to stay in the lead and pin a second straight loss on struggling powerhouse Petron Blaze in the 7:30 p.m. contest.

Kings trade Cortez

In other developments, Barangay Ginebra traded veteran guard Mike Cortez to Air21 for rookie big man Yousef Taha.

“Both sides have already agreed in principle to the deal,” said a source who refused to be named. “We will forward the papers to the commissioner’s office [today] for approval.”

Ginebra has struggled with its lack of big men, a problem compounded with the injury of veteran Kerby Raymundo.

Cortez will be reunited with his former college coach at La Salle, Franz Pumaren.