Games today:
(Ynares Center-Montalban)
5:15 p.m. — Magnolia vs NLEX
7:30 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Converge
Calvin Abueva came up with huge plays down the stretch to fuel Titan Ultra’s come-from-behind, 111-108, escape act over Terrafirma to remain in the thick of the quarterfinals race in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup Saturday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
Abueva filled the stats box with 20 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks as the Giant Risers halted a two-game slide for a 3-6 win-loss slate.
“I just focused and gave my best in this game. Nothing to lose for us. But we thought this could be a chance for us to climb up and try to get into the quarterfinals as a new team. So, we need to work harder in our next games,” Abueva said.
The 37-year-old veteran nailed the go-ahead floater with 59 seconds left before swatting away Jerrick Ahanmisi’s shot attempt at the other end, grabbed the rebound and threw a long pass to Joshua Munzon for a 109-106 lead by the Giant Risers, who went down by 15 points in the second quarter.
Munzon gave Titan Ultra a 111-108 advantage from the line before the Giant Risers dodged the bullet when Ahanmisi’s potential game-tying three-pointer rattled off the rim at the buzzer.
Munzon had 21 points, Fran Yu added 15 points and 11 assists while Von Pessumal and Ato Ular got 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
The Dyip failed to maintain the 37-22 advantage they built in the first half and absorbed a sixth straight loss for a 1-7 mark.
Ahanmisi had 20 points, Mark Nonoy got 18 while JM Bravo and Louie Sangalang chipped in 16 points each for Terrafirma.