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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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26
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
26
2024
In a beast mode, Calvin Abueva carried Alaska Milk past Globalport, 103-101, and into the lead halfway through their stint in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Saturday night.
Abueva frolicked with a career-best 29 points that went with 14 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks as the Aces rose to the top of the team standings with a fifth straight win and a 5-1 overall record.
Shane Edwards and Vic Manuel came through with solid efforts of their own while Ping Exciminiano played quality minutes on the exit of Jvee Casio as the Aces withstood the Batang Pier’s gritty challenge and handed Globalport a fifth loss against only two wins.
After this Petron Blaze Saturday Special, the Aces moved past the Beermen (5-2) in the leader board while the Batang Pier slid deeper down the cellar as they were unable to sustain a swashbuckling start with new import Shawn Taggart.
Going down the drain with their loss was Taggart’s 36 points and 16 rebounds.
“Globalport played great even when they’re missing Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle. They got an import in one day but they led most of the game,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“At the end of the day, our defense carried us. There’s also Calvin’s huge plays,” Compton also said.
Abueva was all over the floor, and he was definitely the big key as they battled back from an early 15-point deficit and beat out the Batang Pier in an exciting showdown in the crunch.
“”Calvin played like an import today. He didn’t miss a three and he only had two turnovers.”
Taggart had a strong start, piling up 14 points and eight rebounds in the first quarter then making it 22 markers and nine boards at the half.
With tremendous boost from their new import, the Batang Pier enjoyed an early 15-point spread but the Aces crept into the game, coming to within a basket at 46-48 entering the final minute of the opening half.
Edwards, Abueva and Manuel carried the cudgels for the Aces with the trio combining for 31 points and 15 rebounds in the first 24 minutes of play.
Twisting his ankle in chasing a loose ball early in the second quarter, Abueva sat out briefly to have his ankle checked then returned to come through with 11 markers and seven boards in the first two quarters.
The Batang Pier stayed in command through the next period but the Aces hung around, trailing by four, 74-78, going into the final canto.
The Scores:
ALASKA 103 – Abueva 29, Edwards 21, Manuel 12, Exciminiano 10, Jazul 8, Banchero 6, Thoss 6, Dela Rosa 5, Casio 2, Eman 2, Menk 2, Dela Cruz 0, Hontiveros 0, Racal 0.
GLOBALPORT 101 – Taggart 36, Jensen 13, Uyloan 12, Fortuna 11, Taha 11, Yeo 7, Washington 5, Mamaril 4, Semerad 2, Kramer 0, Maierhofer 0.
Quarters: 16-30, 48-51, 74-78, 103-101.
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