WITH Calvin Abueva doing what he does best-as the ‘Beast’-Titan Sultra has the logistics to create significant separation from the low-tiered teams in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
‘I just have to do what I must do every game,’ said the 37-year-old workhorse who’s now a journeyman in the 50-year-old league for having plied his aggressive trade with at least three four teams. ‘I just play my game and be myself.’
Still sweating from team practice at the Victoria Sports Club along EDSA on Tuesday, Abueva told BusinessMirror that he’s goal-bound to do better for the Giant Risers-in six games, he averaged a double-double of 22.4 points and 10.2 rebounds.
Abueva and Titan Ultra undergo another tough test against San Miguel Beer, which started the all-Filipino at 0-2 but won four straight-at the resumption of action at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
The Giant Risers are hoping to follow up on their 97-86 victory-their second in six outings last November 5 that put them at solo seventh in the 10-team league-and in the process halt the steamrollering Beermen.
‘Motivation? Even when I was in Alaska, Phoenix [Super LPG], NorthPort and Magnolia, I’ve always been motivated and inspired especially by my family,’ he said. ‘We just really need to work harder, do our job as players.’
‘The coaches . they just let me do my thing,’ added Abueva, who had 23 points, 14 rebounds and six assists against the Bosing.
Also rising to the occasion for the Giant Risers in the Blackwater game were Joshua Munzon and Fran Yu-Munzon and Yu provided the spark and finished with 18 and 14 points, respectively.
‘We must change our attitude especially in the second half. We must keep pushing the ball and play defense,’ Titan Ultra coach Johnedel Cardel said. ‘There’s no room for error when you face a team like San Miguel Beer.’
Don Trollano-the former Adamson University star-meanwhile said they must keep on pushing if they want to snatch a fifth straight victory and move closer to clinching a spot in the quarterfinals.
‘It will be another tough game after Magnolia,’ Trollano said. ‘The teams are improving every game and I’m happy to contribute in every way I can.’
Trollano, who recovered from back pains after their Dubai game against Ginebra, posted 29 points in a narrow 94-92 win over Magnolia last Friday that sent the Beermen to a 4-2 win-loss record.
San Miguel Beer also beat one after the other Rain or Shine (111-93), Ginebra (83-81) and Converge (96-90).
Phoenix and Terrafirma, on the other hand, fight for survival-they’re noth 1-5 won-lost-when they square off in in the first game at 5:15 pm.
Both teams are coming off four-game losing streaks.