A FIVE-GAME winning run to end its elimination round campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, capped by an 85-66 rout of San Mig on Easter Sunday, serves as confidence builder for Alaska in its title retention bid, according to enigmatic forward Calvin Abueva.
Abueva played just 10 minutes, scoring seven points, adding two rebounds, one steal, and one block for the Aces in their 19-point blowout of the Mixers, who they meet again in the best-of-three quarterfinals series starting on Monday.
The reigning champions entered as the No. 3 seeds in the playoffs after finishing the eliminations with a 6-3 (win-loss) record.
“Siyempre ito `yung kumpiyansang kinukuha namin,” he said. “Iyung pine-prepare namin eh para bukas (Monday), though gagawin namin lahat para manalo kami (Monday) at sa Game Two para mapadali na sa amin.”
Last season's Rookie of the Year said he’s happy with the way Alaska has been playing at this stage of the tournament.
“Maganda rin kasi naipapakita namin ngayon lalo na ang import (Rob Dozier) namin. So patience lang, saka gawin lang yung rules na-set sa team.”
Abueva is averaging just 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, both career-lows, but the 26-year-old former San Sebastian standout said he’s far more concerned with contributing to the team’s overall goal this conference.
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