Titan Ultra pricks Phoenix behind Abueva

Titan Ultra downed Phoenix Super LPG, 127-119, to keep its quarterfinal hopes burning on Sunday in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, Rizal.

The victory was made possible by Calvin Abueva, who banged in a game-high 35 points and grabbed 17 rebounds as the Giant Risers improved to 4-6 win-loss record.

Tied at 117 with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Joshua Munzon sank a four-point shot to give Titan Ultra the lead.

Evan Nelle then scored on a layup for the Fuel Masters with 24 seconds left in the game to cut the lead to two points, 119-121.

But free throws from Fran Yu and Abueva, who also had four assists, two steals and a block, down the stretch iced the game for the league newcomers.

Munzon and Aris Dionisio dropped 21 points each for the Giant Risers while Jerrick Balanza shot 17 points.

Jason Perkins led Phoenix with 24 points in a losing effort.

The road to nailing the eighth and last quarterfinal slot largely depends on a few things.

Titan Ultra has to beat Barangay Ginebra on 21 December to remain in the running.

But it would still depend on whether Meralco, tacking Converge late Sunday night, and or Ginebra ends up with 5-6 marks at the end of the eliminations.