Calvin Abueva of the Magnolia Hotshots during the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinal game. –PBA images
MANILA, Philippines – As the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinal series between Magnolia and Rain or Shine comes down to one game each, Calvin Abueva knows the war is not over yet.
The Hotshots knew they needed to clinch the series against the Elasto Painters in dominant fashion, and they did just that in a 121-69 blowout loss to Santa. Friday at the Rosa Sports Complex.
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Aside from the stellar debut of new addition Jabari Bird, one local player who stepped up was Abueva.
Schedule: 2024 PBA Governors Cup Quarterfinals
“‘Di pa tapos to (this is not over yet),” Abueva said after the worst loss in franchise history to Rain or Shine.
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“There will still be games where we need to adjust… We were only able to prepare once with the import switch. Kuya Rafi (Reavis) told us that we should take whatever he gives us. I said,” Abueva added in Filipino.
Bird gave the Hotshots a shot in the arm after scoring a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds in 28 minutes of play.
However, the local players shouldered the heavy burden in giving the Erasto Painters the victory as Abueva scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on an efficient shooting percentage of 57.1 percent.
Read: PBA: Magnolia draws 1-1 in quarterfinals, rain or shine
“The locals also had to contribute, because if we relied on imports for everything, we would drop the ball on him every time,” Abueva said.
“Everything we lacked in the last game showed up here and maybe even doubled. Jabari was a big contributor to our victory.”
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