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Calvin Abueva made a huge impact when Phoenix Super LPG returned to TNT, 110-103, on Friday night to draw 1-1 in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Foundation Cultural and Sports Center. from the University of Angeles.
Abueva finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and two steals that came after making big plays when helping the Fuel Masters rebound from a 95-92 loss in the best-of-five opener last Wednesday mattered.
Jason Perkins scored nine of his 21 points in the final four minutes that saw Phoenix regain control of the lead at 94-92 after TNT rallied from being down 60-45 at the end of the second quarter to advance 92-90 to half of the room.
Justin Chua added 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while three others scored in double figures for Phoenix despite scorer Matthew Wright playing just 15 minutes after injuring his right ankle in the opening moments of Game 1.
Phoenix coach Topex Robinson praised Abueva, whose domesticated version of “The Beast” was once again evident during the final minutes.
Abueva either assisted or collected rebounds at both ends, resulting in Perkins scoring the majority of Phoenix’s baskets down the stretch.
“It’s always a pleasure to see Calvin be a different ‘Beast’ now,” said Robinson. “He knew that Matt is not 100% and kept promising that when he was not, Matt was there for him and now nawala si Matt, siya naman babawi.”
Abueva was also involved in shortening the hot night for TNT’s Ray Parks Jr., who fouled while trying to defend Abueva by driving inside the paint.
Parks shot 41 points with 10 3-pointers, tying a TNT franchise record set last October by teammate RR Pogoy. He was the most consistent player in the Tropang Giga as the rest were on and off.
Game 1 hero Jayson Castro was limited to just nine points on 2 of 10 shots, Poy Erram had a quiet 10-point, 10-rebound outing, while Pogoy and Troy Rosario scored 13 and 10.
It was something of a role reversal for both teams as they are aiming for a crucial 2-1 lead in Game 3 set Sunday afternoon.
RJ Jazul scored 16 points while reserve guards RR Garcia and Brian Heruela contributed 12 and 10 points for Phoenix.
Scores:
PHOENIX 110 – Perkins 21, Abueva 20, Chua 18, Jazul 16, García 12, Heruela 10, Mallari 9, Wright 2, Ríos 2, Intal 0, Marcelo 0, Napoles 0, Gamboa 0.
TNT 103 – Parques 41, Enciso 14, Pogoy 13, Erram 10, Rosario 10, Castro 9, Washington 4, Reyes 2, Semerad 0, Montalbo 0, Carey 0.
Quarters: 28-27, 60-45, 86-60, 110-103.
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