Veteran forward Calvin Abueva has made a powerful statement in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), finishing the elimination round of the Season 50 Philippine Cup as the league's top scorer. The 37-year-old star, now with the rookie franchise Titan Ultra Giant Risers, has thrived as his new team's primary offensive option.
Abueva's Dominant Performance with the Giant Risers
After a high-profile trade from the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, Abueva embraced the confidence placed in him by head coach Johnedel Cardel. Over the course of ten games, Abueva averaged an impressive 23.6 points per contest. His standout moment came when he erupted for a career-high 41 points, leading the Giant Risers to a narrow 100-96 victory over the Meralco Bolts in the team's season opener.
Beyond scoring, "The Beast" was also a force on the glass, pulling down an average of 11.9 rebounds per game, which ranked him third overall in the conference. However, his aggressive style also led to a league-high average of 3.9 turnovers.
League Leaders and Notable Performances
Abueva was not the only Giant Risers player to shine offensively. Teammate Joshua Munzon secured the third spot on the scoring list, putting up 21.6 points per game across 11 appearances. Hot on Abueva's heels for the scoring crown was Blackwater Bossing point guard RK Ilagan, who averaged 22 points.
The Top 10 scoring list featured a mix of established stars and rising talents:
- Juan Gomez De Liano (Converge FiberXers) - 19.3 ppg
- Sedric Barefield (Blackwater) - 19.2 ppg
- CJ Cansino (Meralco Bolts) - 19.1 ppg
- CJ Perez (San Miguel Beermen) - 19.09 ppg
- Jason Perkins (Phoenix Fuel Masters) - 19.3 ppg
- Calvin Oftana (TNT Tropang 5G) - 16.9 ppg
Dominance in Other Departments
While the scoring race was tight, other veterans dominated different statistical categories. San Miguel Beermen's nine-time MVP, June Mar Fajardo, led the league in rebounding with a dominant 14.6 per game, including a league-best 5.2 offensive rebounds on average, despite a quieter offensive output this conference.
On the playmaking front, Robert Bolick of the NLEX Road Warriors remained the assists king, dishing out an average of 8.5 dimes per game to lead all players.
The conclusion of the elimination round sets the stage for a highly competitive playoff phase in the PBA's landmark 50th season, with individual brilliance from players like Abueva highlighting the early narrative.
