Calvin Abueva hits buzzer-beater to nip Talk ’N Text

MANILA, Philippines – The Beast is a hero once more.

Calvin Abueva drained a floater on the break in the dying seconds to carry the Alaska Aces past the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters, 100-98, on Tuesday, October 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to start their 2015 Philippine Cup at 2-0.

“There’s something that Calvin gives us that I don’t know if any player in the league can give us,” Alaska head coach Alex Compton said in commending Abueva’s heroics.

With the game tied at 98-all, Abueva, who had a monster game of 26 points and 22 rebounds, converted on the fastbreak, racing to beat the clock after JVee Casio swiped the ball away from Jayson Castro in the previous play and pitched it ahead to a streaking Abueva. The 26-year also shot 14-of-18 from the free throw line.

“It’s amazing, his ability to get to balls. It’s hard for the opponent to score when you have the ball and you have a better chance of scoring if you have the ball. Calvin gets you the ball.” 

Abueva played his role as energizer well for the Aces, who had to fight back from an 18-point deficit, 80-62, late in the third despite a nip-and-tuck first half.

The athletic and battle-tested forward even had to shake off a painful fall in the third when he jumped high for the 50-50 ball but landed squarely on his hip. But he wasn’t detered despite spending a few moments lying on the floor as he stood up and trudged back to the bench.

Locking in on defense and riding on Abueva’s energy, the Aces came storming back with a 22-4 surge bridging the third and fourth quarters, which was punctuated by a Dondon Hontiveros triple that knotted the count at 84 with 6:41 to play.

It became a shootout after that as Ryan Reyes and JV Casio exchanged long bombs.

Reyes led all Texters with his 24 points, 14 of which he dropped in the third to help the Texters build their huge lead, as he erupted for 6-of-7 triples. 

The Aces out-rebounded the Texters by a whopping 61-39, also capitalizing on second-chance points, 31-6.

Veteran playmaker Casio and rookie Chris Banchero each had 12 points while Hontiveros added 14. 

Second overall pick of this year’s rookie draft Kevin Alas contributed 15 points to the Texters, who battled neck and neck against Alaska until Abueva’s game-winner sent them down to a 1-2 win-loss record.

Scores

ALASKA (100): Abueva 26, Hontiveros 14, Banchero 12, Casio 12, Baguio 10, Manuel 10, Thoss 9, Jazul 6, Exciminiano 1, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Bugia 0, Vanlandingham 0, Dela Cruz 0.

TALK N’ TEXT (98): Reyes R. 24, Alas 15, Williams 13, De Ocampo 12, Castro 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Washington 5, Espiritu 5, Fonacier 4, Reyes R. J. 2, Carey 0, Labagala 0, Seigle 0, Aban 0.

Quarter scores: 21-28, 47-48, 68-80, 100-98. 

Here are some images of the game taken by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images