Just like their time with Gilas 3.0, it was shock troopers Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva that provided the energy, as the SEABA lineup of Chooks Gilas Pilipinas bucked a slow start to erode a Tim Cone-mentored PBA Visayas All-Stars, 125-112, in the last leg of the 2017 PBA All-Star Week at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Romeo was rightfully adjudged the All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player with 25 points — 13 in the second frame alone, on 8-of-13 shooting alongside four assists — to help Gilas erase a 15-point, 30-15 deficit in the opening frame.
On the other hand, Calvin Abueva, Gilas’ offensive anchor in the game’s payoff period, led all scorers with 26 points on 60 percent shooting while grabbing seven rebounds and stripping the ball from the Visayans twice.
Entering the final frame behind by three, 92-89, Abueva’s hook shot sparked a strong 17-4 scoring spree punctuated by a Jio Jalalon leaner off-the-glass to lift the Nationals to their first-ever double-digit lead, 106-96, with 7:24 on the clock.
The Visayans then never had a chance to impose a serious threat to Gilas. The latter relentlessly kept pounding the rock and erected the game’s widest lead at 17, 125-108, after a Raymond Almazan lay-up with just 1:14 left to play.
Aside from the duo, three more Gilas cagers made their presence felt in the statement win. Homecoming King June Mar Fajardo had 18 markers and 13 boards, while Troy Rosario scored 14. Cebuano Roger Pogoy supplied 10.
The Visayas All-Star selection were led by LA Tenorio with 19 points on 13 shots. Negrense snipers James Yap and Jeff Chan backed up Tenorio with 18 and 17 markers, respectively, and combined for 10 of their team’s 13 triples.
The Visayan side shot 53 percent from the floor, but the rebounds showed a huge disparity as Gilas took control of the boards, 58-33. Gilas also scored more second chance points, 23-4, and scored 27 off the All-Stars’ 19 miscues.
Gilas ended their series with the PBA All-Stars with a 2-0-1 slate.
The Scores:
Chooks Gilas (125) – Abueva 26, Romeo 25, Fajardo 18, Rosario 14, Pogoy 10, Maliksi 9, Castro 7, Jalalon 6, Wright 4, Aguilar 4, Almazan 2.
PBA Visayas (112) – Tenorio 19, Yap 18, Chan 17, Ross 13, Devance 10, Hontiveros 9, Quinahan 7, Taulava 6, Cruz 6, Ellis 6, Al-Hussaini 1, Tubid 0.
Quarterscores: 21-34, 59-62, 92-89, 125-112.
