Thanks in large part to Calvin Abueva, Titan Ultra improved its chances of making the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Calvin Abueva did it all inside the final minute Saturday night, Dec. 6.
After hitting a floater off a pocket pass from Fran Yu, Abueva swatted away Jerrick Ahanmisi’s baseline jumper try in the ensuing play, then issued a baseball pass to a streaking Joshua Munzon.
That sequence proved to be the highlight of Titan Ultra’s come-from-behind 111-108 win over Terrafirma in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
“Basta't pinokus ko lang sa sarili kong talagang ibibigay ko ang best ko dito sa game. Nothing to lose, sabi nga, 'di ba?” said Abueva, who put up a tour-de-force performance of 20 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks.
Thus, the door to the quarterfinals remained ajar for the Giant Risers, who hiked their record to 3-6 at ninth, which they shared with fellow winner Phoenix later in the night.
The Dyip, meanwhile, absorbed their sixth straight loss for a 1-7 record at 11th, with Blackwater keeping them company after losing to the Fuel Masters in the second match.
[WATCH: PBA LIVESTREAM: Terrafirma Dyip vs Titan Ultra Giant Risers | Philippine Cup]
Eyes on the quarters
With its back against the wall, Titan Ultra wants to finish strong in hopes of improving its chances of advancing to the Last Eight.
“Ito 'yong chance naming umakyat pa. Baka makuha namin 'yong quarters. It’s good for us na makapunta kami sa quarters as a new team,” Abueva said.
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Abueva’s basket with 57.6 ticks left to play gave the Giant Risers a precarious 107-106 lead which they hung on to until the end.
Terrafirma continued to breathe down Titan's neck though, with the returning Mark Nonoy assisting Louie Sangalang for the perfect alley-oop off an inbound play to close in, 108-109.
The Dyip then forced a turnover, but Cade Flores stripped the ball from Aljon Mariano in transition, which led to Munzon’s freebies to ice the game.
Ahanmisi had the chance to send the game into overtime, but his attempt from the three-point zone rolled out as time expired.
Munzon topscored for the Giant Risers with 21 points, while Fran Yu posted a double-double of 15 markers and 11 assists.
Ahanmisi paced the Dyip with 20 points, while Nonoy fired 18 points and Sangalang and JM Bravo had 16 points each.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.