Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — Calvin “The Beast” Abueva once again flashed beastly form, scoring his second 20-20 game of the season, to lead the Alaska Aces to a masterful 85-75 win over the gallant but outgunned Kia Sorento in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Tuesday. Abueva scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds as the Aces roared to their fifth straight victory. The 6'1” do-it-all player added three assists, three steals and one shot-block in another spectacular performance. Abueva collected his first 20-20 game on Oct. 28, scoring a career-high 26 points and hauling down 22 boards in Alaska's 100-98 come-from-behind win against the Talk N Text Tropang Texters. Abueva put an exclamation mark on that match by scoring the game-winning layup at the buzzer. Abueva thus became the first Filipino talent to record a 20-20 game twice in the same season. Vic Manuel added 15 points off the bench, while Dondon Hontiveros and Cyrus Baguio chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively for Alaska. Despite the tall odds in facing the only undefeated team in the conference, the Sorento battled the Aces nearly on even terms in the first half. When the Aces raced to a 15-point lead, 63-48, following a 23-3 run in the third quarter, the Sorento refused to throw in the towel as they came charging back with a 14-3 run of their own to cut the Alaska lead to 69-66 with seven minutes left. Kia was still in the game with three minutes left, down by just four, 77-73. But that proved to be the closest they could come as Abueva once again presided over a searing Alaska attack. Reil Cervantes led the Sorento with 18 points and six boards while Joshua Webb added 13 points and six rebounds in the loss, Kia's fifth straight after an opening game win against fellow expansion club Blackwater Elite. Talk N Text 80, Meralco 72 The Talk N Text Tropang Texters used a balanced attack to hack out an 80-72 win over the Meralco Bolts, the Texters' first win against former coach Norman Black who is now with Meralco. Jimmy Alapag and rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser hit two clutch free throws each and Harvey Carey had two huge blocks in the final minute to ensure the Texters' fourth win in six outings. Ryan Reyes led TNT with 17 points while Ranidel De Ocampo and Jayson Castro added 15 and 12 points, respectively. Harvey Carey chipped in with seven points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for the Texters. Gary David paced Meralco with 17 points. He was the only Bolt in double-figures as his team suffered its second loss in five games. Games Wednesday: GlobalPort Batang Pier vs. Rain or Shine Elasto painters; Barangay Ginebra San Mioguel Kings vs. Barako Bull Energy.
