ANTIPOLO - Calvin Abueva gave Titan Ultra a rousing PBA debut, scoring a career-high 41 points in a stunning 100-96 win over Meralco on Wednesday in the 50th Season Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center.
A reenergized Abueva pumped life into the Giant Risers after they conceded the first 11 points of the game and never let up on the gas pedal to secure Titan's first victory since completing its buyout of the NorthPort franchise.
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To do that, the Giant Risers had to stave off a late rally by the Bolts, thanks to a Jeo Ambohot putback with 40.7 seconds left that gave them a 96-91 lead and Abueva hustling to secure the loose ball in another crucial play.
Abueva eclipsed his previous career-best of 31 points that he set in Alaska's 107-106 victory over GlobalPort in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup playoff for the No. 8 spot in the quarterfinals.
GlobalPort, ironically, is the same franchise Abueva now plays for.
Johnedel Cardel also emerged victorious in his first game since being appointed as Titan Ultra head coach.
“We took advantage of Calvin. The other players, maganda ‘yung dinedepensa, but Calvin, kilala naman natin ‘yan kung gaano kalakas ang katawan at puso niya,” Cardel said.
“Talagang ‘The Beast,’” Cardel added.
Abueva knocked down 16 points in the third quarter to start Titan Ultra’s breakaway that had the lead swelling to 76-63 at the end of the period.
Abueva drained a three with 6:48 left in the fourth, giving the Giant Risers a 90-71 advantage, the biggest of the match.
The former San Sebastian star also hauled down a crucial offensive rebound after two missed free throws by Chris Koon, leading to two free throws by Joshua Munzon to settle the final count.
Munzon contributed 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks. He also got the distinction as the first player to score for the Titan Ultra franchise when he made a free throw with 6:57 left in the first period to end the scoring drought.
Cade Flores added 10 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Fran Yu had a near double-double of nine points and nine assists.
CJ Cansino had 22 points and nine rebounds for Meralco.
The scores:
Titan Ultra 100 – Abueva 41, Munzon 14, Flores 10, Yu 9, Ular 8, Koon 6, Pessumal 5, Ambohot 3, Cuntapay 0, Melecio 0, Barasi 0, Sumang 0.
Meralco 96 – Cansino 22, Almazan 16, Quinto 15, Bates 10, Newsome 9, Hodge 7, Banchero 6, Maliksi 5, Black 4, Psacual 2, Jose 0, Reyson 0.
Quarters: 23-25; 45-45; 76-63; 100-96.
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