Titan keeps slim quarters hopes alive
Calvin Abueva gave everything he could to Titan Ultra on Sunday.
And after a performance that produced 35 points, 17 rebounds and four assists, Abueva wanted to make sure that his team’s 127-119 victory over Phoenix wouldn’t go to waste.
“We came together to make this win happen,” Abueva said in Filipino after the game at Ynares Center in Antipolo City. “We must not let this chance pass.”
The win, the team’s fourth in 10 games, kept the Giant Risers still mathematically in the hunt for a playoff berth. But they will need to win against Barangay Ginebra in their last game—and only if the Kings enter that game still stuck at five wins.
“We don’t know what is going to happen there,” Titan coach Johnedel Cardel said. “But at least we have a chance.”
Joshua Munzon proved pivotal in the victory, hitting a four-pointer to break the game’s final deadlock and pave the way to victory.
“When everyone contributes, on offense and defense, winning becomes easier,” Cardel said.
Munzon finished with 21 points, four rebounds and five assists while Aris Dionisio added 21 points and nine rebounds for Titan, which had three other players finishing in double figures.
Jerrick Balanza finished with 17 points, Fran Yu added 14 and 10 assists, while Cade Flores chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
