Hard launch by Titan Ultra.
Heralding their arrival in the PBA on the strongest terms possible, the Calvin Abueva-spearheaded Giant Risers zapped Meralco, 100-96, in an early Season 50 Philippine Cup upset at the Ynares Center-Antipolo yesterday.
Abueva, fully embracing a lead role in the league’s newest ballclub, banged in a new career-high of 41 points, making 16 of them a telling 31-18 salvo that enabled Titan to create separation in the third, 76-63.
The Bolts tried to steal it with a furious fourth-quarter fightback but the Giant Risers held tough and banked on Abueva’s hustle, Joshua Munzon’s clutch free-throw shooting and Jeo Ambohot’s putback to ice it.
‘Excited kami maglaro ng first game and binuhos namin talaga lahat para para makuha ito,’ said the 37-year-old Abueva, who eclipsed his old personal best score of 31 which he posted back in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup while still with Alaska.
‘Bata ‘yung kasama ko so kailangan kong i-push ‘yung sarili ko at least para makasabay,’ added ‘The Beast’ who also had seven rebounds.
It was actually a jittery start for Abueva and Co. as they fired blanks in the opening minutes of the game, allowing the Bolts to race to 11-0.
NLEX bucked the absence of top gun Robert Bolick and took down defending champion San Miguel Beer, 85-84, to complete a night of reversals.
With Bolick on bereavement following the death of his father, the Road Warriors leaned on Brandon Ramirez (16), Jonnel Policarpio (16) and JB Bahio (12-12) to wipe out a 13-point deficit and snatch the W from SMB.
‘We dedicate this game to Berto. Medyo may motivation factor kami in today’s game,’ said coach Jong Uichico.