PBA: Abueva drops 23 points, 21 rebounds in Alaska win over Kia

Calvin Abueva was a beast once more for Alaska. KC Cruz

The Alaska Aces remained unbeaten in the 2015 Philippine Cup after a 85-75 victory over the Kia Sorento on Tuesday at Cuneta Astrodome.

 

Calvin Abueva scored 23 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to lead the Aces, who improved to a perfect 5-0 in the tournament.

 

Alaska coach Alex Compton, however, played down the significance of the perfect start.

 

"5-0 means we won't lose 7 games, it's all that means," said Compton, who expressed disappointment about the Aces' slow start that saw them trail, 18-11, after the first period.

 

"Offensively, I was kinda disappointed, there's no 50-point shot," added the American coach, discussing his team's penchant for rushing things. "We wanted to make shots early, we struggled in our offense."

 

Kia, which came into the game having lost four straight, was surprisingly feisty, taking a 45-40 lead early in the third period.

 

"Kia was playing harder, they're tough," said Compton.

 

But Alaska dropped an 18-0 bomb capped by a three-pointer from Abueva for a 58-45 bubble.

 

Just when Kia looked out, however, the Sorento put together a fourth quarter uprising, coming to within four points at 77-73.

 

But the Aces finally put the game away by scoring the next eight points.

 

Abueva's effort more than made up for the absence of Alaska star center Sonny Thoss. 

 

"Sonny's had some pain in his foot," said Compton, then quipping, "Sa sobrang hard siguro na pinatatakbo ko siya."

 

Kia, which has not won a game since its opening assignment against Blackwater, dropped to 1-5. — JST, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

ALASKA 85 - Abueva 23, Manuel 15, Hontiveros 12, Baguio 11, Banchero 7, Jazul 7, Menk 3, Eman 2, Exciminiano 2, Casio 2, Bugia 1, Dela Cruz 0, Dela Rosa 0, Thoss 0.

 

KIA 75 - Cervantes 18, Webb 13, Pascual 10, Buensuceso 8, Jaime 6, Dehesa 5, Raymundo 4, Lingganay 3, Alvarez 3, Thiele 2, Padilla 2, Sanga 1, Revilla 0, Alonzo 0. 

 

Quarters: 11-18, 39-38, 66-52, 85-75