#PBA2015 Philippine Cup Roundup: November 14, 2014

Last night’s 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup action saw the Alaska Aces continue their unbeaten run, while the Purefoods Star Hotshots gained some ground after drubbing the NLEX Road Warriors.

Calvin Abueva put up monster numbers again, while PJ Simon topscored for his
club in PBA action last night.

Game Capsules (adapted from InterAKTV):

ALASKA ACES over BLACKWATER ELITE, 69-56

Box Scores.

The red-hot Alaska Aces remained undefeated in the PBA Philippine Cup after cruising to a 69-56 victory over winless expansion team Blackwater for their sixth consecutive win. Veteran forward Eric Menk, filling in for Sonny Thoss inside, had a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way. Alaska star Calvin Abueva added 13 points, while Vic Manuel had 10. Abueva struggled from the field, but he played a crucial role in a fourth quarter run, scoring twice to help the Aces put the game away. Blackwater was led by Larry Rodriguez, who scored 10 points, while JP Erram and Ogie Menor each added 9 markers. Alaska and Blackwater are now off to completely contrasting starts to the season, with the Aces at the top of the heap ta 6-0 and the Elite at the bottom with a dismal 0-6 slate.

Line of the Game: Calvin Abueva - 13 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.

Calvin Abueva splits two Blackwater defenders as the Aces coasted to a 6-0 slate.

Chris Banchero finds the going tough as the Elite stifle his penetration.

Vic Manuel tries to swipe at the ball even as Larry Rodriguez maneuvers at the high post.

PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS over NLEX ROAD WARRIORS, 92-76

Box Scores.

The Purefoods Star Hotshots showed some of their old championship form as they trounced NLEX, 92-76, in an impressive showing in last night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. Peter June Simon was red-hot to start the game and put some nice finishing touches in the fourth quarter as he led his team, the reigning Grand Slam champs, to just its second win in five games. Simon finished with a team-high 20 points to pace Purefoods, while James Yap and Joe Devance added 19 apiece. Simon scored nine of the team’s first 11 points in a close back-and-forth start before the Hotshots got a big lift from Devance, who fired off the first eight points in a 10-2 blast for the Hotshots as they took a nine-point lead, 21-12. They were able to maintain the lead and even push it up to 13, 50-37, at the halftime break. Asi Taulava paced NLEX with 21 points and 16 rebounds, and he was backstopped by the combined 21 markers of Mac Cardona and Aldrech Ramos.

Line of the Game: Asi Taulava - 21 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 6/10 FGs.