Calvin Abueva proved to be a thorn in the side of his former team Phoenix as he powered Magnolia to an 80-73 win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday, July 17.

Playing against the Fuel Masters for the first time since the team traded him in the offseason, Abueva delivered 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists as the Hotshots started the conference on a winning note.

Phoenix knotted the score at 68-68 with five minutes remaining off an RR Garcia bucket before Abueva gave Magnolia a six-point advantage with a personal 6-0 run.

Vic Manuel and Matthew Wright conspired for a 5-0 blitz to pull the Fuel Masters within a whisker, 73-74, but the Hotshots held on to the win thanks to clutch free throws from Paul Lee.

Lee sank all of his four foul shots in the last two minutes as he finished with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Mark Barroca had 7 points and 5 assists for Magnolia, Ian Sangalang chimed in 6 points and 9 rebounds, while Rome dela Rosa put up 6 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Jio Jalalon came off the bench in the victory and contributed 6 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds.

Wright paced Phoenix with 20 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, while new acquisition Manuel, who got traded from Alaska, added 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

The Fuel Masters did not play former Hotshots guard Chris Banchero as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle.

The Scores

Magnolia 80 – Abueva 26, Lee 21, Barroca 7, Jalalon 6, Sangalang 6, Dela Rosa 6, Reavis 3, Ahanmisi 3, Corpuz 2, Brill 0, Melton 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0, Pascual 0, Dionisio 0.

Phoenix 73 – Wright 20, Manuel 16, Perkins 11, Garcia 11, Chua 7, Demusis 4, Pascual 2, Rios 2, Muyang 0, Calisaan 0, Banchero 0, Faundo 0, Melecio 0, Jazul 0, Napoles 0.

Quarters: 11-11, 25-23, 55-51, 80-73.

– Rappler.com