THE Alaska Aces are gunning for their 15th Philippine Basketball Association conference title, but how far can the Aces go this conference?
It seems that superstar Calvin Abueva’s efforts and leadership will have a big impact on the answer to that as the Aces are clearly relying on their go-to guy to bring them to the promised land in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Alaska is wishing that there won’t be additions to three successive heartbreaks in the finals these past two seasons. They are itching to go all the way this time around.
For that to happen, Abueva will have to elevate his game as Alaska is banking on him now more than ever.
The do-it-all 6-foot-2 forward has been nothing short of spectacular.
He’s been averaging 22 points per game over Alaska’s last four games as he has clearly taken his game to another level to elevate his Aces.
He won the Player of the Week award just recently for his efforts. Not only did Abueva lead the Aces to a scrambling victory over the Star Hotshots last weekend he also gained the most Player of the Week awards with three this conference.
The Aces got a huge lift from Abueva’s heroics to post a come-from-behind 100-92 victory over the Star Hotshots in Davao.
Abueva scored nine of his team-high 21 points in the final six minutes as the Aces arrested a two-game skid with their victory. Alaska (6 wins, 3 losses) are in a tie at second place with the San Miguel Beermen (6-3) behind the Meralco Bolts (7-2) and already assured of a berth in the quarterfinals.
So far, so good then for Abueva and his Aces. They are on course for a deep run in the upcoming playoffs and are in good position to possibly finish in the top two which gives them a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Abueva had a lot to do with that. Should he continue his effective exploits, Alaska will have every reason to be positive heading to the quarterfinals.
From the looks of it, the Aces will go as far as Abueva takes them. And they are hoping that it is the destination that they prefer.