ANTIPOLO – Titan Ultra’s arrival has seemingly reawakened the ‘Beast’ after Calvin Abueva put up a new career-best showing to carry the PBA neophytes to a successful debut with a stunner of a victory on Wednesday night.
The two-time BPC exploded for 41 big points and hauled down seven rebounds as he starred in the Giant Risers’ 100-96 conquest of Meralco in the Season 50 Philippine Cup to ensure a winning start to the franchise’s maiden campaign.
“Sa akin, parang nabalik ko ‘yung college days ko eh,” the San Sebastian legend said on the heels of their thrilling win at the Ynares Center here.
Abueva went on to earn Player of the Game honors, and he couldn’t help but turn sentimental shortly after arriving at the media hall for the postgame presser.
“Unexpected din na nandito ako ngayon eh. Tagal ko ring hindi napunta rito,” he said smiling, which also left head coach Johnedel Cardel beside him grinning.
It has been a while since Abueva last attended a postgame, which is normally reserved for the winning coach and the PotG winner.
The last time he accomplished as much was in Magnolia’s 121-69 win over Rain or Shine in Game 2 of the Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, in which he finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.
His numbers and overall game would dip, however, eventually leading to his exit from the Hotshots. The team shipped him to NorthPort in exchange for William Navarro in a straight-up swap just before last season ended.
(C) PBA Images
The one-time league champion couldn’t even find his footing with the Batang Pier as he came into a team virtually out of the Philippine Cup playoff race. He played just a few games as the team went on to bow out of contention.
His future even became uncertain at one point when NorthPort was put up for sale, which eventually materialized after being acquired by Pureblends.
But the Bryann Calantoc-owned company still kept the majority of the old team’s pieces for its first foray in the PBA, and that included the veteran bruiser.
Fast forward to their first outing, and the Kapampangan cager was front and center in the big win following a remarkable showing, which he admitted was a result of him trying to keep up with his much younger teammates.
“Pinush talaga namin ‘to eh. Kasi lalo na ako, mga bata ‘yung kasama ko, kailangan ko i-push yung sarili ko para makasabay,” said the 37-year-old forward.
“Eh ‘yung sabay ko pala, mas effort pa pala ‘yung energy ko against sa kanila,” added Abueva, who scored 16 in the third quarter alone.
“Kaya siguro ‘yung 41 points na ‘yun, hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi ko makukuha ‘yun.”
But the main reason behind his 41-point production, Abueva said, was his conscious effort to prove that he can still deliver at this point in his career.
“Pinupursigi ko ‘to itong paglalaro kasi basketball, ‘yan ‘yung kinabubuhay natin. Pero in my age, kailangan kong pukpukin ‘to kasi meron eh,” said the no. 2 overall pick in 2013.
“Meron at meron pa. Meron at merong ilalabas pa.”
#WATCH: Calvin Abueva and Coach Johnedel Cardel share their thoughts after Titan Ultra’s rock-solid #PBA50 debut win over Meralco 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/1loo673Rya
📹 Justine Bacnis/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/bhwGEKeeQD
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 8, 2025
