Cade Flores lauded new teammate Calvin Abueva’s energy as the NorthPort Batang Pier stunned the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Call it the Calvin Abueva effect.
There’s no denying now that Abueva has raised the level of intensity for NorthPort since joining the team just two weeks ago after a trade between his former team, Magnolia and the Batang Pier.
[RELATED STORY: Why did Magnolia trade Calvin Abueva for Will Navarro? Chito Victolero explains]
Take Batang Pier stalwart Cade Flores as an example.
Flores doubled down on his efforts Wednesday night, June 11, and the result was a career-high 26 points and 15 rebounds that powered NorthPort’s 113-108 shocker over erstwhile leader NLEX in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cyp.
“Calvin is just like me: overly energetic playing on the court. Having somebody that has that same energy when it comes to practices really lifts the spirit, lifts the energy in our team,” said Flores of Abueva, who transferred to the Batang Pier for William Navarro.
“He’s pushing everybody else to play hard. He plays hard so everybody else has to play hard to match that.”
NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar could not agree more.
“Grabe ang competition ni Cade at Calvin sa practices namin kaya 'yong energy ng buong team, nadadala na. So, Calvin is very positive for us,” said Bajar.
Indeed, Abueva’s energy rubbed off on the Batang Pier at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
It clearly showed when Flores and Fran Yu spearheaded their telling 40-22 third quarter assault that turned a 46-54 halftime deficit to an 86-76 lead.
Flores dropped 13 points while Yu nailed all of his three three-point attempts in the said period.
Yu, who wound up with 21 big points, sustained his charge to the finish as he helped put away the Road Warriors by scoring on a layup with 12.1 ticks left to play, 112-108.
[ALSO READ: Summer Vacay, Slay! For Xyrus Torres, Switzerland is dream getaway for sightseeing]
From there, NLEX's Robbie Herndon foiled an open four-point shot and missed a technical freebie after NorthPort was called for putting Joshua Munzon on the foul line instead of Flores.
Abueva then secured the rebound off Flores' botched shot from the stripe before diving to the canvas because of cramps as time expired.
He wound up with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Bajar said it was simply the Batang Pier’s drive that allowed them to snap an eight-game losing streak..
“This time, nakita lang namin sa mga players namin 'yong willingness to win. 'Yon lang naman ang laging ipinapaalala ni coach Bonnie (Tan),” said the NorthPort deputy, whose team snapped an eight-game losing streak.
“Lumaban kami para manalo at hindi manghina kung ano mang nangyari this conference for us. 'Yon ang nakita naming kaibahan sa past few games.”
Meanwhile, NLEX dropped to 8-3 despite seven of its players finishing in double figures.
Because of the loss, the squad's road to No. 1 spot hit a snag, but it would still enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage come the quarterfinals.
NorthPort vs. NLEX scores:
NORTHPORT 113 – Flores 26, Yu 21, Abueva 19, Munzon 8, Balanza 7, Nelle 7, Onwubere 6, Bulanadi 6, Nava 5, Jalalon 3, Taha 3, Cuntapay 2, Kwekuteye 0.
NLEX 108 – Herndon 21, Ramirez 16, Bolick 16, Policarpio 12, Alas 12, Bahio 11, Torres 11, Valdez 9, Amer 0.
Quarterscores: 22-30, 46-54, 86-76, 113-108.