.jpg) |
| Calvin Abueva put up a monster game in Titan Ultra's PBA debut. PBA Images |
ANTIPOLO—Calvin Abueva put up a performance not even seen during his collegiate days as Titan Ultra introduced itself to the PBA with a 100-96 stunner against Meralco on Wednesday night at the Ynares Center 1 here.
One of the holdovers from the NorthPort Batang Pier before the Giant Risers took over the franchise, Abueva came alive for the Pureblends-owned club, finishing with a career-high 41 points.
Abueva, already with 15 points by halftime, took over for Titan Ultra in the second half, tallying 26 points in the final 24 minutes as the team pulled away from Meralco, although the latter had some chances in the end.
Abueva nearly outscored the Bolts by himself in the third quarter, scoring more than half of the Giant Risers' 31-point output, 16 specifically, in the said period while holding their foes to only 18 to open a 76-63 lead.
While the six-foot-three wingman sustained his brilliance in the fourth quarter, where Titan Ultra extended its lead to 19, 90-71, Meralco threatened a comeback, drawing to within three, 95-98, with 17 seconds left.
Chris Koon seemed to have kept the door open for the Bolts to steal the win when he missed two free throws off a quick CJ Cansino foul.
However, Abueva, well known over the years for his hustle plays, dove for the loose ball to preserve the Giant Risers' possession, eventually leading to two free throws from Joshua Munzon with four seconds left for a 100-95 count.
Cade Flores still kept things interesting after he fouled Cansino with 1.7 seconds remaining, and Cansino, after making his first free throw, intentionally missed the second and grabbed his own rebound.
However, his pass intended for Chris Banchero did not come in time as Banchero only shot his four-point attempt after the final buzzer sounded.
Abueva finished 14-of-27 from the field for his career game while also tallying seven rebounds and one steal.
Munzon added 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks for Titan Ultra.
Cansino led Meralco with 22 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
The Scores:
TITAN 100 – Abueva 41, Munzon 14, Flores 10, Yu 9, Ular 8, Koon 6, Pessumal 5, Balanza 2, Ambohot 3, Cuntapay 0, Sumang 0, Melecio 0, Barasi 0
MERALCO 96 – Cansino 22, Almazan 16, Quinto 15, Bates 10, Newsome 9, Hodge 7, Banchero 6, Maliksi 5, Black 4, Pascual 2, Jose 0, Reyson 0
QUARTERS: 23-25, 45-45, 76-63, 100-96
.jpg&description=Calvin Abueva's career-high 41 helps give Titan Ultra rousing PBA debut vs Meralco){kind=link}