Calvin Abueva had a promising start for the Magnolia Hotshots, leading the way with his 26-point, 10-rebound double-double performance in the Hotshots' 80-73 win over his former team Phoenix Super LPG Saturday evening in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The former San Sebastian star shone the brightest when it mattered the most during crunch time, going on a personal 6-0 run to turn a 68-all deadlock into a 74-68 advantage with 2:42 left.
Magnolia Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero raved about his team's newest acquisition, Calvin Abueva, whom he called a perfect fit for the team.
"[Abueva's] great for the system, especially on how our team ran on defense, especially the energy he gives on pressure defense," said Victolero in the post-game press conference.
"Our rebounding also improved because of Calvin as well, together with the other players, my guards, Ian [Sangalang], Rafi [Reavis], it was a team effort," he added.
Phoenix was able to muster five straight points courtesy of Vic Manuel and Matthew Wright, but the Fuel Masters failed to capitalize in stealing the win.
With Magnolia just leading 76-73 with 49.8 ticks left, Justin Chua and RJ Jazul each missed potential game-tying threes.
Mark Barroca left a sliver of hope when he split his charities for a 77-73 spread with 21.4 left, but Wright was whistled for an offensive foul in an attempt to draw contact while shooting a three.
Paul Lee added 21 points and five rebounds. Wright led the way for Phoenix with 20 points and eight assists, while Manuel added 16 markers and 10 boards off the bench in his debut for the Fuel Masters.
The free-flowing second half was a direct inverse of the first, which severely lacked offensive action.
The first quarter was characterized by both teams' lack of offense, with the squads combining to score a mere 22 points, an 11-11 deadlock.
Both teams also combined to miss their first 15 attempts from beyond the arc, before Phoenix guard RR Garcia quenched the drought at the 1:40 mark of the first quarter to take an 11-9 advantage.
Magnolia started the second on a 7-0 run, capped off by a basket by Abueva, 18-11, 7:54 left in the first half.
Phoenix eventually returned the favor with a 10-3 run to tie the game at 21-all. The Hotshots only managed to score four points in the last three minutes to lead at halftime, 25-23, the lowest-scoring half since 2019, which was also a game played by Magnolia.
The two squads just managed to shoot a combined 20/89 from the field in the first 24 minutes, for a paltry 22.5% shooting percentage.
"Our preparation was for a defensive game. I knew that Phoenix is also a defensive team. You have to bleed for the score," said Victolero.
"We had a better performance in the second half because we had many fastbreak points. We created turnovers. But at the same time, we cleared the boards and ran," he added.
THE SCORES
MAGNOLIA (80) -- Abueva 26, Lee 21, Barroca 7, Jalalon 6, Sangalang 6, dela Rosa 6, Reavis 3, Ahanmisi 3, Corpuz 2, Brill 0, Melton 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0, Pascual 0, Dionisio 0.
PHOENIX (73) -- Wright 20, Manuel 16, Perkins 11, Garcia 11, Chua 7, Demusis 4, Pascual 2, Rios 2, Muyang 0, Calisaan 0, Banchero 0, Faundo 0, Melecio 0, Jazul 0, Napoles 0.
Quarter Scores: 11-11, 25-23, 55-51, 80-73.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
- Calvin Abueva changed his jersey number to #12 from his customary #8. Magnolia is set to retire PJ Simon's #8 jersey soon.
- Matthew Wright also changed his shirt number from #35 to #7.
- Phoenix set a new franchise record for the lowest scoring output in a half. They scored 24 points in the first half against Alaska in a 93-75 loss in 2018, per PBA head statistician Fidel Mangonon, III.
NEXT GAMES
- Magnolia vs TNT on Wednesday, July 21, 6 p.m. at Ynares Pasig
- Phoenix vs NorthPort on Wednesday, July 21, 3 p.m. at Ynares Pasig