Abueva, Manuel push Alaska past skidding Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Calvin Abueva uncorked a game-high 25 points and 8 rebounds, and the Alaska Aces snuffed out the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 128-102, in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday, February 27 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Manuel had 12 in a 36-point Alaska third quarter and totaled 20 points for the now 2-1 Aces, whose hot shooting was too much for the skidding Painters in the second half.

Alaska, who came out firing to open the game, led only by 59-54 at the half before a huge third period output stretched the lead to 95-78 entering the fourth.

Once Abueva took his rest in the final frame, RJ Jazul kept fanning the flames with 4 triples as Alaska led by as much as 120-90 with under 6 minutes to play. Jazul finished with 15 points.

“You all know what Calvin can do,” Alaska head coach Alex Compton said of Abueva, who went 9-of-16 from the field including a pair of triples on top of two assists and two steals as a starter.

“He has a whole different level of energy and his ability to rebound the ball, get the ball, and his toughness is sometimes otherworldly. And if he’s stroking the 3, that changes the game a little bit.”

But it was a good all-around offensive night for the Aces making 12 of their 23 3-point attempts and going 58% from the field. Six of Compton’s men also finished in double figures.

Manuel had a perfect third quarter with 5-of-5 field goals and two makes from the free throw line as Alaska pulled away and Rain or Shine scrambled for options sans primary guard Paul Lee, who is still recovering from his knee injury.

The Aces out-rebounded their foes by 50-33 and out-ran them on the break with a 22-4 edge in fastbreak points.

“It’s one of those games where the basket got bigger for us and smaller for them,” Compton pointed out.

Import Shane Edwards had 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris banchero added 14 markers, 6 boards, and 6 assists off the bench. Sonny Thoss had 10.

Antoine Wright led the Painters with 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals, while Chris Tiu came off the bench and went 6-of-11 from the field for 21 points along with 7 rebounds.

Jericho Cruz and Maverick Ahanmisi registered 16 and 12 points, respectively, while Gabe Norwood added 10 as Rain or Shine lost its third game in a row and dropped to 1-3. 

Scores:

Alaska (128): Abueva 25, Edwards 23, Manuel 20, Jazul 15, Banchero 14, Thoss 10, Baguio 6, Exciminiano 6, Dela Rosa 4, Magat 3, Racal 2, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0.

Rain or Shine (102): Tiu 21, Wright 21, Cruz 16, Ahanmisi 12, Norwood 10, Quinahan 8, Trollano 5, Belga 3, Chan 2, Ibanes 2, Nimes 2, Almazan 0, Ponferada 0.

Quarter scores: 29-25, 59-54, 95-78, 128-102.

– Rappler.com