PBA: Abueva gets new nickname from Alaska coach after career-high, game-winner

"The Tasmanian Devil."

That's Alaska coach Alex Compton's new nickname for Calvin Abueva, after the dynamic Aces forward scored a career-high 26 points, grabbed 22 rebounds, and made the fastbreak buzzer-beating layup to lead the team to victory over Talk 'N Text on Tuesday.

"Keep coming up with names, it's just amazing, his ability to get to the balls," said Compton after the Aces' second straight win.

Abueva's onslaught helped Alaska rally back from an 18-point third quarter deficit against the talented Tropang Texters, who looked like it had the game in the bag.

Typifying Abueva's effort was a play in the final period that saw the former San Sebastian star rise above taller Talk 'N Text players to tip the ball to RJ Jazul, who made an open three-pointer. Abueva crashed hard to the floor during the play, but was back on his feet a few moments later to continue to wreak havoc against the Tropang Texters.

Other heroes

But amid Abueva's gaudy numbers and game-winning highlight, Compton made sure to distribute the credit to other heroes for Alaska's win.

He made special mention of JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros, two players who made Abueva's final basket possible.

"Honestly what makes me happy is JVee got a stop one-on-one against Jayson Castro," the coach said. "Jayson Castro is incredible. I mean, kahit saan ka sa Asia magpunta tawag sa kanya best point guard in Asia.

"JVee, all 5-9, 150 pounds, found a way to get in front of him and get a stop. And that really ended up being the game."

With the clock winding down and the game tied at 98-98, Casio stripped Castro of the ball on a drive.

Hontiveros picked up the basket and quickly tossed the ball to a streaking Abueva for the last shot.

The Alaska coach said his instruction was to get the rebound and call a timeout, but Hontiveros reacted on intuition and made the pass that won the game.

"I was really proud of Dondon Hontiveros," he said. "He just made a good veteran read.

"I just thought it was a great decision by those guys. And it wasn't my decision, it was the players' decision and the right decision." — JST, GMA News