Though being sent to the brink of elimination by the NLEX Road Warriors Monday evening, Calvin Abueva still held his head up high after the Alaska Aces’ 99-105 Game One loss in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
During the contest, the Aces were behind by as much as 11 points in the first half and only figured things out in the final 24 minutes of the contest.
“Yun pa rin, transition defense pa rin sa first half.
“Masyado kaming na-ano, di ma-stop yung transition. Doon sila nakalayo sa amin nung first half,” rued Calvin Abueva as NLEX went 10-for-14 inside the paint during the first half.
Alaska was able to recover in the second half with Abueva providing the spark as he scored 15 of his 18 points in the third frame.
The Aces even led by as much as four points in the final 2:52 left on the game. However, a miracle four-point play by Larry Fonacier turned things around while Alaska could only muster three points to close out the contest.
“Frustrating yung first half. Sa second half, doon kami nakabawi. Nakuha na namin yung laro namin,” furthered six-year pro, who added 13 rebounds and two blocks to his statline.
Still, Alaska’s heart and soul remains positive that they can replicate what they did during the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals — stunning the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters after falling in Game One.
“Makakabawi kami. Yun lang. Makakabawi kami.”
