Abueva, Baguio help Alaska pull off close win over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Games today:
Araneta Coliseum
4:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Globalport
6:30 p.m.- Barangay Ginebra vs. Air21
Rookie Calvin Abueva had two big plays down the stretch and Cyrus Baguio came up with an even bigger play later as the Alaska Aces rallied past the Rain Elasto Painters, 83-81, in their first game in the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Baguio converted a buzzer-beating fastbreak layup that preserved Abueva’s heroics late in the game. The energetic rookie hit a booming triple in a fastbreak play that tied the score at 81-all with 10.1 seconds left.
The 6-foot-1Abueva then came up with an impressive defensive stance in the next play as he swatted the attempt of Rain or Shine’s 7-foot-3 import Bruno Sundov.
Baguio secured the ball following a loose ball battle then raced to the other end of the court to convert the winning right-handed layup.
Sundov finished with a game-high 30 points.
Alaska import Robert Dozier scored just five points in the first half but came alive in the final two quarters and eventually finished with 21 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Meanwhile, Barako Bull Energy Cola and Globalport Batang Piere battle for the early leadership when they face other today in the first game of today’s twinbill at the aforementioned venue.
The main game will have two teams looking to embark on a good start as the Barangay Ginebra Kings take on the Air21 Express.
