The first game of Wednesday’s double-header at the Ynares Center in Antipolo saw newly welcomed franchise Titan Ultra Giant Risers make their PBA Season 50 debut against the Meralco Bolts. Prying eyes were on the Giant Risers after the “Lalaban kami” remarks of Titan Ultra team governor Emil Tiu during the team’s media day. Lo and behold, the new kids on the block didn’t disappoint, showing tremendous fight in stunning the Bolts, 100-96.
What Happened?
Meralco scored the first 11 points of the game, but Titan Ultra gradually found a rhythm, outscoring the Bolts 23-14 to end the first quarter and forcing a 45-45 halftime tie. A huge third quarter led by Calvin Abueva helped the Giant Risers establish their own double-digit lead, which they extended to 17 early in the fourth. A CJ Cansino-led uprising helped the Bolts cut that deficit to 94-91 and to 98-95. But a huge Abueva offensive rebound and two free throws from Joshua Munzon helped seal the win for Titan Ultra in the end.
Who Stood Out?
Abueva was beastly against the Bolts, putting up a career-high 41 points on 14-for-27 from the field and 9-for-10 from the foul line. He added 7 caroms, including that crucial offensive rebound in the end against what looked like the entire Meralco team.
For Meralco, Cansino and Brandon Bates were silver linings in a mostly uninspired effort save for stretches. Cansino dropped 22 markers and 9 boards for the Bolts and keyed that fourth-quarter fightback. Bates, meanwhile, finished with a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds.
3 Keys to the Game
- Vintage Abueva. Abueva didn’t just turn back the clock, he turned it all the way back to his NCAA days as he did it all for the Giant Risers as the main man.
- Max hustle for Titan Ultra. Abueva and company seemed everywhere all at once and were outworking their counterparts from Meralco for most of the game. They had more steals (11-4), had the same number of blocks as the Bolts (4-4), and forced 21 turnovers. That hard-fought Abueva offensive rebound down the stretch epitomized Titan Ultra’s all-out hustle.
- Turnovers + poor shooting doom Bolts. Meralco gave up too many possessions but didn’t shoot well enough—40.2% overall, 20.8% from downtown—to compensate for their turnovers.
Next Up for the PBA
The last four PBA teams—Blackwater Bossing, TNT Tropang 5G, Phoenix Fuel Masters, and Terrafirma Dyip—make their debut as the league goes to Ynares Center in Montalban.
Blackwater vs. Terrafirma | TNT vs. Phoenix
