By JONAS TERRADO
Phoenix star Calvin “The Beast” Abueva will treat his first meeting against former team Alaska as an ordinary game when the two unbeaten teams square off for the solo lead tonight in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Abueva refused to embrace the revenge angle in the 7 p.m. match against an Aces squad that handed him an indefinite suspension during the Commissioner’s Cup before being dealt to the Fuel Masters for Karl Dehesa and a 2019 first round draft pick, stressing his focus to keep his new team’s winning ways.
“We need to end the month on a high note so we can get an early advantage,” said Abueva, whose team enters the middle of a stretch of three consecutive playdates which ends on Friday against struggling TNT KaTropa.
Though he may not admit it but Abueva is perhaps eager to emerge victorious and give the Aces a reminder of what they no longer have.
Abueva has impressed under his new team after wins over Columbian Dyip and NorthPort to begin the season-ending conference, averaging 12.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 blocks.
Also credited for Phoenix’s hot start is import Eugene Phelps, who has posted 40.0 points and 16.0 rebounds in the first two games highlighted by his third-career 50-point game against Columbian last Aug. 24.
Fuel Masters coach Louie Alas has described the game as a stern test, especially with the Aces’ knack for forcing turnovers behind their pressure defense.
Alas is also pinpointing at Aces import Mike Harris as something that may give them plenty of trouble.
“It will be a real test for us because our problem against Alaska in the last two conferences is how to minimize our turnovers,” Alas said.
“Alaska is the best when it comes to forcing turnovers so if we can limit our mistakes, it will be a good game for us.”
The Aces also hopes to continue their splendid game on the offensive end after PBA Press Corps Player of the Week Simon Enciso erupted for nine three-pointers in the 125-96 rout of TNT last Sunday.