Abueva’s career-high Aces 2-1 edge vs Elasto Painters

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The defense kicked into high gear right from tip off and there was nothing the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters could do as the Alaska Aces pounded away for a 94-78 victory and a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-7 semifinals of the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup on Monday, December 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The league’s second best defensive team put a leash on Rain or Shine and limited them to just 27 points in the first half, while scoring 42 points, to dictate the tone of the game early on all the way to the final buzzer.

“I thought our defense was really good. That’s always been the key for us this conference,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton. “I don’t think that we can win shootouts.”

Calvin Abueva figured in a career-high 28 points, including 12 points in the fourth to turn back a rallying Painters squad. Alaska’s energizer bunny came off the bench and added 14 rebounds and 3 steals across his name.

Veteran big man Eric Menk had 13 points and 11 rebounds while Cyrus Baguio and JVee Casio added 11 points apiece.

“I thought the fact that we gave up 27 points in the first half, I loved how we played defense,” Compton said.

Alaska bounced back from a 102-95 Game 2 loss to get their noses ahead in the series.

“Defensively I think the guys really asserted themselves. They came out with much better effort than in Game 2,” Compton noted.

Alaska’s dedication to defense made up for their dismal 29-of-44 free throw shooting. They also dominated second-chance points, 17-2.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine relied on sophomore center Raymond Almazan with his team-high 20 points and 5 boards.

Paul Lee was the only other Painter in double figures with 14 points – 10 of which came in the third as he tried to will his team back in the game.

The Painters struggled through unfavorable calls and saw coach Yeng Guiao get ejected at the 9:16 mark of the third after incurring two technical fouls.

Big man Beau Belga later followed his coach into the locker room with 5:13 left in the third as he also had two technicals. 

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

– Rappler.com

Rain or Shine vs Alaska PBA 2015 semifinals

Game 1: Aces draw first blood in semis series vs Elasto Painters 
Game 2: Rain or Shine hangs on late to tie semis series