Titan Extremely unleashes ‘Beast’ as Abueva erupts for 41 in debut win vs Meralco

Handed the keys to a Titan Extremely staff trying to make a splash within the PBA following its buy of the NorthPort franchise, Calvin Abueva eclipses his earlier profession excessive set practically a decade in the past

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Titan Extremely unleashed “The Beast” as Calvin Abueva steered the Large Risers to a rousing PBA debut.

Abueva fired a career-high 41 factors to go together with 7 rebounds in main Titan Extremely to a 100-96 victory over Meralco within the Philippine Cup on the Ynares Heart on Wednesday, October 8.

Handed the keys to a staff trying to make a splash within the league following its buy of the NorthPort franchise, the 37-year-old ahead eclipsed his earlier profession excessive of 31 factors set in 2017 when he was nonetheless with Alaska as he shot 14-of-27 from the sphere.

“We’re all excited to play this primary sport,” stated Abueva in Filipino. “We actually pushed for this, particularly me, I’m enjoying with youthful gamers so I must push myself to maintain up with them.” 

Abueva scattered 26 factors within the second half alone, together with a three-pointer with over six minutes remaining that gave the Large Risers their largest lead at 90-71.

That lead proved sufficiently big to chase away the Bolts’ comeback, with Meralco getting inside 95-98 with underneath 20 seconds left off a CJ Cansino four-pointer earlier than Joshua Munzon sealed the win for Titan Extremely with a pair of free throws.

Munzon, named final season’s Most Improved Participant, turned in all-around numbers of 14 factors, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and a pair of blocks.

Cade Flores added 10 factors, 6 rebounds, and three steals, whereas Fran Yu chipped in 9 factors, 9 assists, and three steals, together with a four-point shot to finish the primary half that knotted the halftime rating at 45-45. 

Picked fourth total by NorthPort within the earlier draft, former Ateneo standout Chris Koon tallied 6 factors and a pair of rebounds in his PBA debut, though he confirmed rookie jitters as he missed two essential free throws with 15 seconds remaining that left the comeback door ajar for the Bolts.

The win additionally marked the PBA comeback of Roi Sumang, who final performed in Asia’s first play-for-pay league celebrating its fiftieth season again in 2023. 

Cansino provided 22 factors and 9 rebounds within the loss, whereas Raymond Almazan and Bong Quinto had 16 and 15 factors, respectively.

Brandon Bates tallied a double-double of 10 factors and 14 rebounds for the previous All-Filipino champion. 

The Scores

Titan Extremely 100 – Abueva 41, Munzon 14, Flores 10, Yu 9, Ular 8, Koon 6, Pessumal 5, Balanza 2, Ambohot 3, Cuntapay 0, Sumang 0, Melecio 0, Barasi 0.

Meralco 96 – Cansino 22, Almazan 16, Quinto 15, Bates 10, Newsome 9, Hodge 7, Banchero 6, Maliksi 5, Black 4, Pascual 2, Jose 0, Reyson 0.

Quarters: 23-25, 45-45, 76-63, 100-96.

– Rappler.com