Alaska’s Calvin Abueva (8) takes an off-balanced shot against GlobalPort Keith Jensen last night in the 41st PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome. (PBA IMAGES)
Games today:
Philsports Arena
3:00 p.m.- NLEX vs. Tropang TNT
5:15 p.m.- Blackwater vs. Barangay Ginebra
Workhorse forward Calvin Abueva put up a career-high 29 points to help the Alaska Aces survive the undermanned but hard-fighting GlobalPort Batang Pier, 103-101, last night in the 41st PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Abueva also added 14 rebounds and four assists as the Aces clawed back from double-digit deficits to tally their fifth straight win that enabled them to grab the solo number spot in the standings at 5-1 (win-loss).
GlobalPort played without the deadly duo of Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo but surprisingly was in control for the large part of the game.
The Batang Pier led by as many as 15 points and the Aces never led until the 8:12 mark of the fourth period, 83-81, when Ping Exciminiano hit a three-pointer.
GlobalPort went on top again, 94-93, with 4:07 left but Alaska went on an 8-2 run to erect a 101-96 edge, 1:06 remaining.
Shane Edwards tallied 21 markers and remained unbeaten as an Alaska import.
Debuting six-foot-nine import Shawn Taggart exploded for 36 points, but GlobalPort still dropped its fourth straight game to fall to 2-5.
The Star Hotshots, meanwhile, recorded their first winning streak in the conference after they routed the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 91-75.
Star improved to 3-4 while Phoenix slid to 2-4.
THE SCORES
FIRST GAME
STAR (91) – Ratliffe 21, Simon 17, Yap 13, Barroca 8, Reavis 8, Pingris 7, Sangalang 7, Maliksi 6, J. Pascual 4, Cruz 0, Melton 0.
PHOENIX 75 – Pinkney 21, Lanete 12, Intal 10, Baracael 7, Garcia 6, Urbiztondo 6, Wilson 6, Monfort 4, Pennisi 3, Brondial 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 22-19, 37-44, 65-54, 91-75.
SECOND GAME
ALASKA (103) – Abueva 29, Edwards 21, Manuel 12, Exciminiano 10, Jazul 8, Banchero 6, Thoss 6, Dela Rosa 5, Casio 2, Eman 2, Menk 2, Dela Cruz 0, Hontiveros 0, Racal 0.
GLOBALPORT (101) – Taggart 36, Jensen 13, Uyloan 12, Fortuna 11, Taha 11, Yeo 7, Washington 5, Mamaril 4, Semerad 2, Kramer 0, Maierhofer 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 16-30, 48-51, 74-78, 103-101.