Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) – Star forward Calvin Abueva made a mark in his first game wearing a Magnolia Pambansang Manok jersey, as he tormented his former team Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in a 80-73 win on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Abueva, who was acquired by Magnolia from Phoenix in a swap for Chris Banchero and a couple of draft picks last February, finished with a double-double performance of 26 points and 10 rebounds in his debut for his third PBA team.
“Iba ‘pag kaharap mo ‘yung dati mong team. Pero different team na ngayon, trabaho tayo. Pinush ko ‘yung mga teammates at sarili ko para maganda ‘yung laruin namin,” Abueva reflected after the game.
[Translation: It was a different feeling when you’re facing your old team. But I’m on a different team now, so we need to work harder. I pushed my teammates and myself to play better.]
Paul Lee added 21 markers for Magnolia.
Both teams engaged in a close but low-scoring affair in the first half, with Magnolia holding a 25-23 lead at halftime as both squads struggled to shoot the basket.
In the third quarter, Phoenix zoomed into an early 34-29 lead after three shots from burly forward Vic Manuel and a trey by Jason Perkins. The combined offensive efforts of Abueva and Lee helped Magnolia maintain a narrow margin over Phoenix.
The two teams continued to exchange leads in most of the final canto until Magnolia held Phoenix in the final two minutes, as Lee, Abueva, and Mark Barroca made their free throws for the victory.
Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero credited his wards’ defensive adjustments in the second half to open their 2021 PBA Philippine Cup campaign on a high note.
“We tried to lower the score. We tried to limit the field goal percentage of the other team, especially in the fourth quarter. We had many fastbreak points in the second half and we created many turnovers for the opposing team,” said Victolero.
He said Abueva’s performance helped improve their team game, especially in getting rebounds and defensive strategy.
“That what I said before, he really fits into our system and on our defensive schemes especially his energy on our pressure defense,” the coach added.
Matthew Wright is Phoenix’s topscorer with 20 points while Manuel chipped in 16 markers.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA (80) – Abueva 26, Lee 21, Barroca 7, Sangalang 6, Dela Rosa 6, Jalalon 6, Reavis 3, Ahanmisi 3, Corpuz 2
PHOENIX (73) – Wright 20, Manuel 16, Perkins 11, Garcia 11, Chua 7, Demusis 4, Pascual 2, Rios 2
Ouarterscores: 11-11, 25-23, 55-51, 80-73
