MANILA, Philippines – Calvin Abueva delivered a sterling double-double game in his return from an injury, leading Alaska Milk to a first win in the 2016-17 PBA Philippine Cup with a come-from-behind 95-84 triumph over the erstwhile unbeaten GlobalPort side at the MOA Arena in Pasay City last night.
Abueva, finally back from a quadriceps problem, piled up 22 points and 11 rebounds in a stirring debut in PBA Season 42 highlighted by a crucial 15-point explosion at endgame.
Jvee Casio also stepped up in the crunch, scoring 12 of his 15 in the last four minutes as the Aces finally got over the hump, notching a first win after successive losses to the NLEX Road Warriors and the San Miguel Beermen.
Succumbing on the Aces’ pressure defense in the fourth period, the Batang Pier squandered a 16-point third-quarter bulge and suffered a first setback after impressive back-to-back triumphs over the Mahindra Floodbuster and the Star Hotshots.
A heavy six-way logjam atop the heap among GlobalPort, Blackwater, Rain or Shine, TNT KaTropa, Phoenix and San Miguel Beer at 2-1 ensued following the Batang Pier’s loss to the Aces.
“It’s great to have the guys back,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton, referring to the return not only of Abueva but also of Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano from a one-game suspension.
“The Terrence (Romeo)-Stanley (Pringle) combination is very dangerous. I told the guys di talaga tayo dapat masyadong manggigil dito,” Compton also said.
The Aces struck at the right time, trimming down a 16-point deficit to three at the end of the third before stepping on the pedal hard in the final canto to carve out the nine-point win.
Paul Lee fired four three-pointers and a total of 20 points in a breakout game with his new team while rookie Jio Jalalon tossed in 17 markers as the Star Hotshots also chalked up a first win with a 99-75 rout of the NLEX Road Warriors later in the night.
The whole Star team actually got its act together to hand coach Chito Victolero his first win with the ball club.
“It’s more about our defense. The players committed themselves with the game plan. Then there’s their great desire to win,” said Victolero.