ANTIPOLO – Who says Calvin Abueva is old at 37?
The ‘Beast’ continued to defy Father Time as he came through anew when Titan Ultra needed him most, producing monster numbers in a 127-119 win over Phoenix on Sunday night which kept the team in the mix for the remaining quarterfinals slots in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Abueva scored 35 points and grabbed 17 rebounds – 12 on the defensive end – as he willed the Giant Risers back from 11 points down to complete the come-from-behind win.
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He played 38 minutes and 14 seconds, had two steals, a block, and was a bundle of energy that has been his nature his entire playing career.
“Age is just a number,” he said later. “Basketball ang passion ko, ito yung bumubuhay sa pamilya ko, kaya hindi dapat hinahayaan yung mga ganitong pagkakataon.”
It’s the second time the native of Angeles, Pampanga scored 30 or more points in franchise history following his career-best 41 points in Titan Ultra’s 100-96 win over Meralco in the team’s PBA debut.
He averaged 27.5 points in the Giant Risers’ last two victories.
Abueva’s heroics and the major contributions of the other Titan players improved their record to 4-6 and gave the team a slim shot at still making the quarterfinals.
The Giant Risers have one game left against Barangay Ginebra on the final day of the eliminations on Dec. 21.
“Itong game na ito sobrang important sa amin ito. One step ahead. Ginebra na lang, quarters na,” he said.
“It’s a good thing na andito kami ngayon nakikipag-sapalaran sa matataas na team. Kaya huwag na namin sayangin ito.”
Of course, Titan Ultra's fate is no longer entirely in its hands.
Meralco and Ginebra are three games ahead of the Giant Risers at 5-4 and a victory by the Bolts and the Kings in their next outing will secure them the final two berths in the playoffs and eliminate Titan Ultra outright.
Of the two, the Giant Risers are leaning on the Kings losing their coming game against league leader Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Bahrain on Wednesday to have a shot of advancing to the next round.
Giant Risers rooting for ROS
Abueva is aware of it and said the Giant Risers are obviously cheering for a Rain or Shine victory.
“Wait and see muna kami sa Bahrain [game]. And kung ano ang mangyari tsaka na kami magpe-prepare,” he said.
For now, Abueva and the Giant Risers are savoring this huge win over the Fuel Masters.
“Enjoy muna namin ito (panalo). Tsaka na natin isipin yan (quarterfinals),” he said.
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