Cebuano Dondon Hontiveros leads Alaska to victory over former team Petron Blaze

Game today:

Ynares Center

5:45 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs. Globalport

8 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs. Talk ’N Text

Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hotniveros turned back the hands of time while rookie Calvin Abueva was finally unleashed as the Alaska Aces came from behind to topple the Petron Blaze Boosters, 88-86, in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Hontiveros scored 15 of his 17 points in the payoff period, including four three-point shots as the Aces came back from an eight-point, fourth-quarter deficit, 57-65, to log their second win in four outings.

Abueva, the second pick of this year’s draft, did not disappoint Alaska fans in his much-anticipated debut as he had a double-double of 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Chriz Lutz had 20 points for the Junemar Fajardo-less Petron, which dropped to 1-3 (win-loss). Fajardo, this year’s top pick, was still out due to an injury.

UNBEATEN TEAMS COLLIDE

Meanwhile, an explosive twinbill is to be expected today highlighted by the match-up between the San Mig Coffee and the reigning champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

In the first game, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters try to keep abreast of the league-leaders when they go for their third win in four games against the Globalport Batang Pier, a team whose confidence is high after notching their first win at the expense of the Meralco Bolts, 105-104, last Wednesday.

The Texters leaned on a high-scoring third period to defeat Air21, 96-89, to hike their record up to a clean, 3-0 (win-loss).

Big man Ranidel de Ocampo led the way for TnT with 19 points in that game while point guard Jimmy Alapag set a milestone for his career as he became the latest player to make 1,000 three-point shots in the league.

TnT’s opponent today will be a tough nut to crack, especially after the Coffee Mixers downed the Petron Blaze Boosters, 90-84, to remain unbeaten in the tournament at 2-0.

BOX SCORES:

ALASKA 88 – Baguio 21, Hontiveros 17, Abueva 12, Casio 9, Thoss 8, Jazul 6, Baracael 6, Espinas 3, Reyes 2, Eman 2, Dela Cruz 2.

PETRON 86 – Lutz 20, Washington 15, Cabagnot 12, Santos 11, Pena 11, Miranda 7, Yeo 4, Ildefonso 4, Mallari 2.